E. Dean Niedan, age 76, of North Platte, NE, left his earthly home on Sunday, August 21, 2016, after a long struggle with Multiple Myeloma.

Dean, as he was commonly known, was born the third of four children to Henry and Irene Niedan on November 8, 1939, at the family farm homestead, located 12 miles Southeast of Midland, SD. He attended rural schools, graduating from Murdo High School in 1957 then attended the University of South Dakota. Here he met the love of his life, Jean Lange, from Yankton, SD. They were married on July 6, 1958, in Yankton and to this union three daughters, Terri, Cindi and Julie, were born.

Dean was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Midland, SD and was a devout Missouri Synod Lutheran with a steadfast faith in God. He was deeply involved as a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, and was one of the founders of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, serving on numerous boards and committees of both churches.

First and foremost, Dean’s passion was his family, longtime friends, and farming. He enjoyed being outdoors, and liked taking elk hunting trips to Wyoming and fishing trips to South Dakota and Canada.

Dean began his insurance and finance career with Auto Bankers in Rapid City, SD then as a lending officer at Northwestern National Bank in Luverne, MN. In 1964, he accepted a position with McDonald State Bank in North Platte. Dean and his brother, Ken, were instrumental in the charter of Hershey State Bank in 1968. Later, they acquired the Farmers State Bank in Wallace, NE. They also chartered the American State Savings Company and American Security Bank in North Platte and American State Bank (now AmFirst Bank) in McCook, NE. Consolidating their interests, the American State Bank was sold. Ken retained ownership of the Hershey State Bank and Dean retained ownership of Farmers State Bank. Dean and his wife, Jean, established the American Agency and American Mortgage Company in North Platte (which was recently sold). Over his 50+ years of banking, Dean received various accolades and awards with the most important of these being the respect and commitment of his customers.

Throughout Dean’s life, he served on various civic organizations including the North Platte City Council, past President and member of the North Platte Rotary Club, past President and member of the North Platte Chamber of Commerce, and board member of the Nebraska Bankers Mortgage Association board and 50 year member of the Nebraska Bankers Association. He was always very active in promoting North Platte, in particular the business community.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Irene Niedan and his sister, Carolyn Berg.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Jean, of 58 years; three daughters, Terri (Gerry) Krolikowski, of Lincoln, Cindi Hill, of North Platte and Julie (Bill) Serritella, of Bristol WI; grandchildren, Tiffany (Scott) Schendt, of Gretna, NE, Melissa Smidt, of Lincoln, Ashley (Justin) Cleveland and Brandon Hill, of North Platte and Shelby and Dean Serritella, of Bristol, WI; great-grandchildren, Alex, Avery and Aiden Schendt, Jacy, Logan, and Landon Cleveland, and Brynley Bottorf; two brothers Ken (Connie) Niedan, of Hershey and Gordon (Judy) Niedan, of Sioux Falls, SD; and brothers-in-law Dick Berg, of Littleton, CO, and Roger (Jackie) Lange, of Longmont, CO. Dean is also a cherished uncle to his nephews, nieces and his many close lifetime friends.

Dean’s Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, August 25, 2016, in North Platte at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church with Pastor Bob Deardoff officiating. A private family burial will be in the North Platte Cemetery.

The casket will be closed. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to be given to Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church or the Callahan Cancer Center in North Platte.

The family would like to thank Dr. Vaziri and his staff for the loving care they provided to Dean during this past year.