Linda E. Dean
Linda Eileen Dean, 84, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, passed away peacefully on September 24, 2026. A visitation, with family present to greet friends will be held from 5:00 - 7:00 PM on Monday, September 28, 2026, at Miller Funeral Home - Westside Chapel (6200 W 41st St) in Sioux Falls. A memorial service will take place at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church (1300 S Sertoma Ave) in Sioux Falls. Following the service, interment will be at Hills of Rest Cemetery in Sioux Falls.
Linda was born on February 27, 1942, in Brookings, South Dakota, to Marvin Calhoun and Arvilla Nelson Calhoun. She spent the first nine years of her life growing up in Rutland, South Dakota, before her family moved to Sioux Falls, where she made her home for the rest of her life.
On May 30, 1959, Linda married the love of her life, Darrold “Diz” Dean. Together, they were blessed with three children, Lori, Jay, and Lisa, and spent 67 years building a life centered around family, hard work, love, and countless memories.
Linda was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who took great pride in her family. She loved watching, encouraging, and supporting the people she loved and took genuine interest in their lives and accomplishments. Her family was her greatest joy.
Linda helped support and grow the family business, Dizco, contributing her time, dedication, and care to the family’s shared work. She was also active in the PTA and served as Secretary-Treasurer for the South Dakota branch of the National Star Route Mail Contractors Association.
She had a gift for making people feel comfortable and welcome. Whether at home, in the community, or meeting someone new, Linda had a warm and inclusive nature that put people at ease.
Linda loved creating special memories with her grandchildren. During the summers, Wednesdays became “Donut Days,” when she and Grandpa spent the day with their grandchildren. She filled those days with creativity, activities, conversation, and plenty of time together, turning ordinary summer days into treasured memories.
Her creativity really came alive around the holidays. Linda loved introducing her grandchildren to Christmas traditions from around the world. She would research different customs, come up with creative ways to share them, and turn the holidays into an opportunity for her grandchildren to learn, explore, and make memories.
Linda enjoyed calligraphy and quilting and had a passion for ancestry. Later in life, genealogy became one of her greatest passions. She loved researching her family history, discovering the stories of those who came before her, and learning about the places connected to her roots. She didn't just want to read about those places; she wanted to see them for herself. Linda loved to travel and treasured the adventures, experiences, and memories made along the way.
Grateful to have shared her life are her beloved husband of 67 years, Darrold “Diz” Dean; her children, Lori Dean, Jay (Christine) Dean, and Lisa (Ron) Schaal; her grandchildren, Daniel (Chonteaul) Dean, Tyler Schaal, Ashley (Jeff) Johnson, Emily (Adam) Learing, Brittany Muhs, Courtney (Chris) Sabie, Jessica (Kelly) Lyons, and Stephanie (Erik) Burkman; many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Pam Calhoun; several nieces and nephews; and many extended family members and friends.
Linda was preceded in death by her infant son, Darrin Brian; her parents; her siblings and their spouses, Wesley Calhoun, Leeann (Clarence) Quigley, Colleen (Ken) Gravelle, and Wayne Calhoun; her in-laws, Glen and Clara Dean; her brother-in-law and spouse, Roger (DJ) Dean; a niece and three nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that memorials be made to the Children's Home Society or CASA.
Linda will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever a part of the family she devoted her life to.