Obituary of Dean Witzel

Send Flowers Dean Witzel October 10, 1939 - October 16, 2009 Donald Dean Witzel was born into this world on October 10, 1939, in Goodland, Kansas, to parents, Franklin Leroy Witzel and Julia Lenore Pettibone Witzel. His birth occurred at the Geissenhower Maternity Home, as there was no hospital in Goodland at the time. Dean, as he was known, lived the first two years of his life on a small farm north of Peconic. The family moved in 1940 to what became known as the "home place." The ranch/farm was located 15 miles southwest of Burlington where the family raised irrigated corn, wheat, a herd of Hereford cattle, and horses. Younger brother, Gene, joined the family here. Dean obtained his education and high school diploma, Class of 1957, in the Burlington School system. Dean was active in Future Farmers of America as a member of the judging teams and as an officer, receiving the DeKalb award his senior year. Dean took part in drama, both on stage and in the wings. Dean also received the Harrison Award his senior year at graduation. It was during his high school years, Dean developed a passion for the game of football; his love and dedication to the sport earned him an academic and sports scholarship to Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado, where he left his mark and earned his place in the starting line up as a freshman. Prior to starting his college experience, Dean married his high school sweetheart, Bonnie Dobler, on August 18, 1957, at the First Christian Church, in Burlington, Colorado. Together Dean and Bonnie started their journey with their belongings packed in the back seat of Dean's green 1953 Mercury, and haven't looked back since. Dean studied and played football, hunted deer, and learned the ups and downs of mountain living. Following class finals and the end of the football season, Dean and Bonnie made the decision to move back to Burlington and go into farming and ranching, Dean's second passion. Obviously, he had a few other passions, and Douglas Dean Witzel was born November 22, 1958, at the Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital in Burlington. Dean passed on to Doug his love of football, farming and ranching, and later years led the two to combine their efforts both on the football field and in the soil. Car rides home after every football game seemed to take hours as each play of every game was dissected. Doug later received All-State football honors; and achievement that Dean was very proud of. September 6, 1960 brought a very hot summer to close with the birth of their daughter, Dena Elaine Witzel; also of Burlington. If there would have been a chance for her to play football, he would have encouraged it. As it were, the front lawn had to suffice for the make-believe nail-biter games between Dean, Doug, Dena, and the dog and cat. 1961 brought the family of four to a new farm/ranch 17 miles southwest of Burlington, located on the Smokey River. For the next 18 years, the family grew and changed as the fought the elements and learned more of life's lessons. Family growth occurred once again on November 25, 1964, when Donn Eric Witzel joined the family with his birth at the Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital. Donn also shared Dean's love of sports and kept Dean busy with more long post-game rides home in the car. June 1966 should have been the end of Dean's farming career when a hose connection on an anhydrous tank ruptured costing him the sight in his left eye and many months recovery. Throughout his recovery, the tractors continued to move, with the help of friends and family, and the dream stayed alive. Dean encouraged all three kids to participate and develop their skills in 4-H. He was a leader throughout their years in the Fairview and Sunshine 4-H clubs. Dean continued as Beef Superintendent for many years after, holding to the belief that every member deserved a chance for success. The November 1970 local elections placed Dean on the RE 6-J school board. His dedication to youth and the community allowed him to serve two terms on the board and personally hand high school diplomas to Doug and Dena. In 1974, the Burlington Jaycees bestowed the honor of Outstanding Youth Farmer upon Dean. His accomplishments in farming and ranching earned him third place at the state level. 1977 brought new challenges with the decline in the agriculture economy. The family regrouped and began plans for the new "home place" and Dean took the Assistant Manager position at Four Corners Fertilizer. He held this position for four years until the time was right for him to go back to full time farming and ranching. With the help of Bonnie and Doug, the plan took shape. They raised sheep, Great Pyrenees dogs, and were eventually able to get back to the cattle. The winter of 2001 infected Dena and Bonnie with the "traveling disease" as they traveled to California, Arizona, and on to Texas were they attended an RV show in Austin. On the way back to Colorado, their stop in Wichita, Kansas, gained them their first travel trailer and the seasonal outings began...first trip being three weeks, then a month, then 6 weeks, and it only got better. Many wonderful new friends were made, and Dean discovered his fishing abilities (though they were better served on the shore of the waters of the Gulf). The warm water was a God-send to Dean's health, already complicated by diabetes and glaucoma. In March 2004, the address at 1788 Senter in Burlington became home. Dean learned about "town" life and some habits changed. His farming involved lawn mowing and container gardening... the livestock included the neighborhood dogs, cats, squirrels, and birds. He will always be remembered for his quick wit and dry humor, his ornery looks and last, but not least, his famous "B-Club" paddle. He was always the organizer and boss on the site, directing the action and seeing it through the end, even it was from the driver's seat of the Suburban. Dean is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Lenore Witzel; brother, Gene Witzel; and son, Doug Witzel. He is survived by wife of 52 years, Bonnie; daughter, Dena, and children Brian, Will, and Kacia; son, Donn Witzel, and wife, Kami, and their children, Morgan, Mason, and Braden; and Doug's children, Maggie, Mollie, and Mack Witzel. Funeral services for Dean were held on Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at 10:00 am at the First Christian Church with Pastors Charles Hines and Jim Blake officiating. Burial followed in the Fairview Cemetery in Burlington. Visitation was held on Monday, October 19, 2009 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Love Funeral Home. Memorials may be made in Dean's name to the Dean Witzel Memorial Scholarship Fund and may be left at Bank of Burlington in Burlington. Facts Born: October 10, 1939 Place of Birth: Goodland, Kansas Death: October 16, 2009 Place of Death: Burlington, Colorado Occupation: Farmer/Rancher Memorial Donations Memorial donations may be made to: Dean Witzel Memorial Scholarship Fund and may be left at or sent to the Bank of Burlington in Burlington, Colorado. Services Funeral Service Tuesday October 20, 2009, 10:00 AM at First Christian Church Click for Map and Directions Graveside Service Tuesday October 20, 2009 at Fairview Cemetery Click for Map and Directions