Dean Lippincott

DEAN LIPPINCOTT

Urbandale

5/8/1928 – 12/29/2021

Dean passed away in his assisted living center in Des Moines in the early morning of Dec. 29, 2021. He was alone getting ready to join the others for breakfast and was discovered by the staff.

In early December, Dean was quoted just as saying, "I have lived a weird life." Weird, wonderful, long and rich, indeed. Born in Brooklyn, Iowa, to Samuel Ray and Agnes Belle Lippincott. He grew up proudly as South Sider in The Great Depression in the poorest of times. Dean was the youngest of 13 children to his mother who suffered from polio and gout!

Orphaned at 13 years old when his father passed away, Dean scrambled for a place while being helped by many of his dear sisters and brothers as well as caring friends, neighbors and acquaintances. He described himself as what could be now called a difficult child – with a sense of humor and a streak of mischief.

The thing that Dean wanted to be remembered by and that he lived by is his love for his family especially his wife, Betty Catherine (nee Lineweaver). They married on July 2, 1949, while he was still in the U.S. Air Force. The love extended to their three sons as well as their many sisters, brothers, cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, friends and people to fish with.

A particular joy was to take young people out to teach them how to fish in any body of water, but especially in the many farm ponds and his favorite, Diamond Lake. He was excited to share his experience with anyone who would sit long enough to bait a hook.

Upon returning to Brooklyn from the Air Force, Dean started work at the TIP-REC where he stayed for about 42 years. He quite literally climbed his way to heights helping deliver and maintain electric power to rural customers through good weather as well as in mean, nasty thunder and ice storms. It was the pleasure of working outside and being able to return to Betty and the boys each day that he described a "good job" and a good way to support the family as best he could.

A few years following Betty's passing in 2005, Dean was lucky to find himself in a dear friendship with Martha Lorene De Witt, also of Brooklyn. They were able to enjoy the gathering of combined families interspersed with driving trips through many states. They had great times together right up to Dean's passing.

Dean is survived by his sons, Kenny (Nanette) of Platte City, Mo., Colin (Julie) of Boulder, Colo., and Keith (Patti) of Des Moines; along with seven grandchildren, Kimberly, Leslie, Brent, Rachel, Bryan, Isabel and Sam; and the numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren that he spoke of lovingly and often. He is also survived by many dearly loved nieces and nephews. He is survived by his brother, Dale and Dale's wife, Helen, now of Grinnell, Iowa. Dean had a close bond with Betty's surviving brothers, Dick (Linda) and Ken (Fran); as well as nephew, Dan Osborn of Vail, Colo.

There are many heartwarming stories of adventures that ranged from delightful to exciting to, even, dangerous. He told family memories as well as other adventures to all who wanted to hear of "those days." Dean told stories with the warmth and mischief that he lived. He is missed by many, forgotten by few.

By now, he has answered a question that he echoed many times over his last couple of years, "When I get to Heaven, do I go first to Betty or to my mom?" Either one will surely forgive him for whatever choice he has made.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date out of respect for all of those of us determined to get through COVID 19 healthy. Colin and Keith can be contacted regarding future plans.

Family asks that any donations be made to Poweshiek County Conservation for the youth fishing and outdoor education programs at Diamond Lake Park.

Those donations then could go directly into the Naturalist's fund. Mark Vavroch, Director Poweshiek County Conservation, 4896 Stagecoach Roads P.O. Box 666, Montezuma, IA 50171. (641) 623-3191.

For online condolences please visit www.ilescares.com.