Dean L. Plank

Dean L. Plank, age 93, a longtime Wabasha business owner, died Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018, at St. Elizabeth's Health Care Center in Wabasha.

He was born Nov. 6, 1924, in Eyota, the son of Ralph and Mildred (Todd) Plank. He served his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII, stationed in Japan and working as a radioman. After his discharge he returned to the area where he was united in marriage to Dorothy Freese of Kellogg. They married Sept. 8, 1945, at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Kellogg. They celebrated 71 years of marriage in 2016. Dorothy died March 24, 2017.

Dean owned and operated Dean's Clothing in Wabasha. He owned and operated the clothing business for many years eventually selling the business to his son, Jeff, in 1979. While owning Dean's Clothing, Dean also owned the local franchise of H & R Block Tax Service, which he operated until his retirement in 1994.

He was an active member of his church and the Wabasha community. He belonged to St. Felix Catholic Church, where he served as an usher and lector and he helped with the reading program at St. Felix School. Dean served three terms on the Wabasha City Council and was a longtime member of the St. Elizabeth's Community Foundation Board and the Wabasha Rotary Club. He was a member and past commander of the Wabasha American Legion Post and a member of the Burkhardt-Roemer VFW Post. Later in life, he also volunteered at St. Elizabeth's Medical Center as a guardian angel.

Dean enjoyed working in his yard, the Mississippi River, and taking trips with his family. His greatest joy was spending time with his family, especially his dear wife, Dottie. He will be remembered fondly by all who knew him for his calm demeanor, his pleasing smile and his general good nature.

He is survived by daughters and sons-in-law, Cheryl and Bob Kasper, Eagan and Shelley and Dan Sobeck, Pine Island; sons and daughters-in-law, Jeff and Gayle Plank, Centerville, Tenn., and Dean and Julie Plank, Menlo Park, Calif.; nine grandchildren, Stephen Kasper and Jill Liberty, Julie Plank and Bryan Plank, Jason and Mitchell Plank, and Jamie Dessner, Haley Gaulke and Corey Sobeck; seven great-grandchildren, Lacey and Sophie, Brendan, Avery and Ashtyn and Liam and Lainee; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; daughter, Nancy; parents, Ralph and Mildred; sisters, Shirley Schneider and Joan Prigge; and brother, Jim.

A funeral Mass will be offered at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at St. Felix Catholic Church in Wabasha, with the Rev. Father Adam McMillan and Deacon John Hust officiating. Interment will be at St. Felix Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the Wabasha American Legion Post #50, the Burkhardt-Roemer VFW Post #4086 and active members of the U.S. Navy. Family and friends may call from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Abbott Funeral Home with a prayer service at 8 p.m. and they may call one hour before the Mass Saturday at the church.

Memorials are preferred to St. Elizabeth's Community Development Foundation, 1200 5th Grant Blvd. W., Wabasha, MN 55981 and to St. Felix Catholic School, 130 3rd St. E., Wabasha, MN 55981. The Abbott Funeral Home of Wabasha is in charge of arrangements. www.abbottfh.com.