Dean Kittle, who was better known as 'Gramps' to everyone who knew him, left his earthly home in North Platte, Nebraska for his Heavenly Home on November 4, 2020 following his 8 month battle with cancer. he was 84 years old.
Dean was born at home on February 17, 1936 to Lester and Bernice Kittle. In school, Dean was involved in football, basketball, and music. He went on to graduated as the 1954 Maxwell High School Salutatorian.
During his schooling in Maxwell, Nebraska, Dean met Donna, the woman who would become his wife of over 65 years, in Kindergarten. The two were married on September 2, 1955. Together they had three children - Pamela, Rhonda, and Doug.
As a teenager, Dean worked for his brother-in-law, Cal Miller, in the hayfield. He then went on to work at Graham Edwards in North Platte, Nebraska, and then onto Stebbins Implement in Gothenburg, Nebraska before he started on as an appliance serviceman for Herb Pearson of North Platte. In 1974, Dean bought Pearson Appliance from Herb, where he served countless people for four decades. Pearson's served as a family business until he retired in 2006. During retirement, Dean worked part-time for Carpenter Memorial Chapel of North Platte.
Outside of his career, Dean was also very involved in the community. He was a member of the North Platte Sertoma and was President of both the Buffalo Bill Kiwanis and the North Platte Housing Authority.
In addition to his service to the community, Dean was heavily involved in the First Baptist Church of Maxwell, Nebraska, which has ministered to five generations of his family. During his life, he served as a Sunday School teacher, a Deacon, and a Youth Group Leader. His impact on the teens he led in the Youth Group was such that he maintained contact with many of them until his death. Dean was also an active, integral part of the music ministry at church. Dean sang bass for the choir, led music for many years, and sang special music number for various occasions.
Dean's family was of the utmost importance to him. He attended every ball game, concert and play of each child, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren from preschool programs clear through college. He was fond of family vacations to the lake and the mountains, where he was still water skiing and snow skiing at age 60.
Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Bernice and Lester Kittle; his sister, Elaine (Cal) Miller; sister-in-law, Shirley Kittle; brother-in-law, Bob (Doris) Koenig; brother-in-law, Don Bailey; sister-in-law, Patty (Delbert) Mentzer; and special friend, Bill Freeman.
He is survived by his wife, Donna; children Pam (Ed) Johnson, Rhonda (Russ) Tobey, and Doug (Stephani) Kittle; grandchildren Jason (Gina) Sommer, Amy (Jason) Stork, Blake (Ashley) Tobey, Taylor (Mitch) Peters, Jake Kittle, Julie (Ben) Miller, and Tony Johnson; great-grandchildren Grace (Ayden) and Janie Sommer, Otto Stork, Oliver, Anderson, Stella & Noelle Tobey, Eliza Peters, Whitney, Natalie, Tobye, Corey, Lexi, and Felicity Miller, and Ava and Kendil Johnson; his sister, Jean (Roger) Pramberg; a brother, Donn Kittle; sister-in-law, Virginia Bailey; sister-in-law, Lucille Koenig; special friend, Theora (Bill) Freeman; and many nieces, nephews, and other special friends. The family wishes to also extend a special thank you to Dean and Donna's neighbor of many years, Jim & Twyla Hand, for always being available to them.
The Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 7, 2020 at the first Baptist Church in Maxwell, Nebraska with Pastor Bob Townsend and Pastor Tim Lyzenga officiating, followed by a Graveside Service at Plainview Cemetery in Maxwell. Visitation & Book Signing will be on Friday, November 6, 2020 from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. with family receiving friends from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, 1616 West B Street, North Platte, Nebraska.
A Memorial Fund in Dean's name has been set up for the Maxwell Public School Scholarship Foundation or First Baptist Church of Maxwell.
The service will be live-streamed via the Carpenter Memorial Chapel Facebook page for those unable to attend in person. The family perfers masks be worn during visitation and services. Services will be held following all current health directives regarding COVID-19. Online condolences and sharing of memories can be made at www.carpentermemoral.com. Carpenter Memorial Chapel in North Platte is entrusted with arrangements.