Dean E. Ward, age 79 of North Platte passed away at his home on Friday February 19, 2016.
Dean was born on March 10, 1936 in North Platte to Albert E. and Elizabeth E. (Vaughn) Ward. He lived in North Platte his entire life, graduating from North Platte High School with the Class of 1955. As a boy he had a paper route for many years and to this day knows who lived in each house. He also worked at both movie theaters and Sixth Street Food Store. On September 1, 1958 he married Glynn Hahn at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Paxton, NE. They were married for 57 years. Dean retired from Sixth Street Food Stores in 2000 after being with the company for 49 years. He was a member of RSVP and Holy Spirit Catholic Church and after his retirement enjoyed volunteering with the Holy Spirit & St. Patrick’s Food Pantry.
Dean is survived by his wife Glynn; children Kif P. (Cindy) Ward of Libertyville, IL, Jan E. (Thomas) Simpson of Omaha, NE, and Jill M. (Stephen) Granger of North Platte; 7 grandchildren, Katharine Ward, TJ, McKenna and Hope Simpson, and Macy, Jacob and Ellie Granger; 2 sisters Lola Koehler of Colorado Springs, CO, and Dona Godeker of North Platte; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Willard, Albert, Robert, Donn, Lawrence; and sisters Grace, Alona, Louise, Helen, Delores and Carole.
Memorials are suggested to Holy Spirit Catholic Church, North Platte Catholic Schools Endowment or the donor’s choice and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Christian Wake Service will be 7:00 p.m. Wednesday February 24, 2016 and Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday February 25, 2016 both at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with Reverend James Novakowski as Celebrant. Burial will follow at the North Platte Cemetery. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Tuesday and 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Wednesday at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.