Carroll Dean

Funeral services for Carroll Dean, 98, of Aberdeen and formerly of Groton will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 27th at Aldersgate Church in Aberdeen.  Rev. Mike Waldrop, Rev. Derek Baum and Rev. Bill Duncan will officiate.  Services will be live streamed at GDILIVE.com.  Burial with military honors will follow at 1:30 p.m. in Groton Union Cemetery under the direction of Paetznick-Garness Funeral Chapel, Groton. 

Visitation will be held at the chapel in Groton on Monday from 5-7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.

Carroll passed away peacefully on May 22nd, 2025 at Parkside Retirement Community in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Carroll was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, and friend, Carroll lived a life rich in faith, service, and kindness.

Carroll John Dean was born December 14th, 1926 in Scandinavia, Wisconsin, to Rexford and Selma Dean. He graduated from Scandinavia High School.Answering the call to serve his country, he volunteered for the United States Army on August 27, 1945. Carroll completed basic training in Little Rock, Arkansas as part of the infantry’s heavy weapons division. He achieved Expert Marksmanship status.  He was later stationed in Germany and Bazancourt, France, before being assigned to Paris, where he took the opportunity to travel through Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy. Carroll was honorably discharged in January 1947.  In May of 2010, Carroll was proud to be able to go on an Honor Flight to the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.

After returning home from the Army, Carroll attended vocational school in Appleton, Wisconsin, studying auto mechanics. He began his career with a Ford dealership in Iola, Wisconsin, and later moved to South Dakota, working for Aberdeen Equipment and Clark Implement.

On June 28, 1952, Carroll married the love of his life, Pearl Solberg. Together, they made their home in Aberdeen before moving to the Columbia area, where Carroll owned and operated Dean’s Garage. In 1968, he joined the Groton School District as a bus mechanic and transportation supervisor, where he was often called upon to drive routes as well. At the time, the district maintained a fleet of 17 buses and various vehicles under his care.

Carroll and Pearl moved to Groton in 1970 and he remained working for the school district until retirement.  Even after his retirement, Carroll stayed active with a large garden, countless furniture refinishing projects, along with helping friends with mechanical repairs. His craftsmanship and kindness left lasting marks in many homes and hearts.Carroll’s commitment to community extended beyond his work. He served seven years on the Groton School Board and was a charter member of the Groton Alliance Church, where he taught adult Sunday School and served as an Elder. In 2018 they moved to Parkside Retirement Community in Aberdeen.

In 1953, Carroll accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior, and he faithfully walked with the Lord throughout his life.

He was a proud grandfather to ten grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. His legacy of faith, hard work and kindness will live on in the hearts of his family and all who knew him.

Carroll is survived by his devoted wife of nearly 73 years, Pearl, and their four children: Kathryn (Mark) Hofer of Spencer, SD; Timothy (Nancy) Dean of Sioux Falls, SD; Kenneth (Laura) Dean of Aberdeen, SD; and Wayne (Linda) Dean of Aberdeen, SD. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and one sister, one grandson and two great grandsons.  

Carroll will be remembered for his unwavering faith, generous spirit and gentle heart. His was a life well-lived and well-loved.

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