June 11, 1929 — March 18, 2026
Shirley H. Dean, 96, of Mason City, passed away on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at the Good Shepherd Health Center. Services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in memory of Shirley to the Mason City High School Instrumental Music Boosters, NIACC Foundation, MacNider Art Museum, Community Kitchen of North Iowa.
Born in Mason City, the daughter of the late Elgar Z Haight and Vivian Baker, and the wife of the late Richard Dean. She is survived by sons Kevin (Torill Kove) of Montreal, Bruce of Omaha, Mark (Beth) of Inver Grove Heights, MN, brother-in-law Allan (Julie Shapiro) of Monterey, MA, sister-in-law Merry Burns of Davis, CA, grandchildren Andrew, Michael, Ryan, Megan, Jenny, and Runa. Many nieces, nephews and great grandchildren residing in MA, CA, MN, IA and FL. She was preceded in death by siblings Charleen Sivwright, Amy Lou Poppen, Keith Haight and daughter-in-law Jayne Schaefer Dean.
Shirley grew up just a half-mile down the road from her future husband; they walked to a one-room country school together and eventually built their life on Richard’s family farm. She graduated from Mason City High School and North Iowa Junior College (NIACC) with a teaching certificate, later teaching 4th Grade in Kanawha. Activities included ‘chief chauffeur’ to the 3 boys school activities, past President MacNider Art Museum Guild and volunteer, past Vice Chair Cerro Gordo Co Extension Council and 4-H youth programs, member State Extension Advisory Committee, past President MCHS Music Parents, PEO Chapter IY, member of the Pleasant Ridge Club and PRW – Pleasant Ridge Women’s Club. She served on all church boards of the First Congregational United Church of Christ (UCC); Women’s Fellowship; past moderator and member of UCC State Board of UCC; Represented Iowa Conference of UCC to the 14th National General Synod in Pittsburgh. She was a board member for Center for Growth, steering committee of distinguished grads for MCHS recognition, first woman President of the Mason City School board and served on the board for 11 years. She was Co-Grand Marshal of the 1989 Band Festival and Co-Honoree of the Mason City 1997 Outstanding Citizen Award with Richard.
Later in life the Deans traveled extensively and provided “home court” on their tennis court on the farm. Over the years, Shirley was always in the crowd smiling at the many concerts and performances of her family. It has been estimated that her sons, husband and many friends consumed over 100,000 of her famous chocolate chip cookies.
A special thank you for the care received from the staff at Good Shepherd Health Center and St Croix Hospice providing compassion, kindness, comfort and dignity. Shirley leaves a legacy of generosity, tolerance, loyalty, quick wit and humor.
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