Smothers, Dean

Dean Smothers, 67, of Monticello, died Friday evening, Nov. 19, 2010, at his home following a courageous battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 23, at Wayne Zion Lutheran Church, rural Monticello. The Rev. Bob Wessels will officiate. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello.

Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.

Surviving are his wife, Terry; and three children, Andy of North Liberty, Troy of Chicago, and Michelle (David Omar) of Mount Vernon.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Patricia Westfall.

Marvin Dean Smothers was born April 5, 1943, at North English, Iowa. He was the son of Marvin W. and Sadie Fitzwater Smothers. He received his early education in the North and South English Schools. Dean graduated from North English High School with the class of 1961. Dean enlisted in the United States Army and served in the Army Reserve as well. He was employed as parts manager at Strohman's Inc. in North English. Dean married Terry Nelson on August 29, 1970, in Mount Vernon, Iowa. The couple lived in Kirksville, Mo., and Austin, Minn., where Dean was the parts manager at the John Deere dealerships. In July 1973, the couple purchased the Vanourny John Deere dealership in Monticello. In 1997, they added the Cigrand Bros. John Deere dealership in Cascade. They retired in October 2006, following 33 years in business.

Dean had been a board member of the Iowa Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association. He had also been active in Cub and Boy Scouts, the Monticello Chamber of Commerce, and the Fourth of July Celebration along with various school organizations. Dean was an active member of Wayne Zion Lutheran Church and served on the church council. The family would like to thank Above and Beyond Hospice, Dr. James Heun and the Mayo Clinic, and the many family and friends who comforted and supported Dean and his family during his illness.