Zelma O. Dean

Zelma Opal Dean, age 104, of Tea and formerly of Sioux Falls, passed away Saturday, June 27, 2026, at the Tea Retirement Living, with her family by her side. 

Her Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, July 3, 2026, at the George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory. Interment will be in the Hills of Rest Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, Thursday, July 2, 2026, at the George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory, with family present.

Zelma Opal Barnes was born to Melvin and Carrie (Husted) Barnes in Wessington Springs, South Dakota, on September 25, 1921. The family moved to Harrold, South Dakota. She graduated from Harrold High School in 1941. After graduating, she moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Prior to her marriage, she earned her managers license as a Beautician from Beauty Academy in 1942.

Zelma married Virgil Dean on May, 4, 1943, in Dakota City, Nebraska. Zelma and Virgil settled and raised their family in Sioux Falls. Together they enjoyed traveling, playing cards and dancing. Zelma also enjoyed crocheting and creating memory picture albums.

Zelma served as treasurer for Daughters of the Nile for 6 years. She later became a Bookkeeper at Tri-State Tobacco & Candy for 7 years and then worked for Great American Insurance for 5 years; followed by employment at Brandon Savings Bank for 2 years. She was employed by Electric Construction for at total of 22 years. She later worked for her son-in-law at Frank Transfer & Storage.

Zelma was a long-time member of Wesley United Methodist Church; U.M.W; Eastern Star; Past Daughter of the Nile; Shrine Auxiliary & V.F.W Auxiliary. She served as President of VFW Auxiliary in Brandon for 2 years and President of PTA while children were in school. Zelma also volunteered at the Gift Shop at Sanford Hospital for 13 years.

Left to Cherish her memory are her daughter, Maxine (Bill) Mellenberndt of Sioux Falls; grandchildren, Chad (Kari Thies) Mellenberndt, Jody (Gregg) Bakker, Bret Mellenberndt, and Brad (Billie) Dean, all of Sioux Falls; brothers, Raymond Barners of Huron, South Dakota and Kenneth Barnes of Boyne City, Michigan; sisters-in-law, Eldora Barnes of Harrold, South Dakota and Virginia Barnes of Pierre, South Dakota; many nieces; nephews; and other relatives.

She is preceded in death by her parents; son, Larry Dean; brothers, Chester, Marvin, and Rollin Barnes; sister, Zada Brock; and sister-in-law, Bernie Barnes.