Dean L. Ekern, 96, of Flandreau, SD, passed away Monday, September 7, 2020 at Riverview Healthcare Community. Dean was born on November 27, 1923 to Carl J. and Emma (Ellefson) Ekern. Dean was baptized, confirmed, and actively served at Our Saviors Lutheran of Flandreau, SD. He received his education at Flandreau Public School, graduating in 1941. He then attended the University of SD for one year. In June in 1942 through Oct. 1943, Dean was a studio control operator at WNAX, Yankton, SD. During WWII, Dean entered the US Navy (EM2C) from August 1943 and was honorably discharged March 1946. His main duty station was Pearl Harbor Hawaii. He was a member of the American Radio Relay League, Inc. from Sept. 1941-August 1948. Dean returned to the family farm near Flandreau to run the operation of cropland and raising cattle; and we cannot forget Dean's favorite horse named Sioux. His hobbies included working in his workshop.

The Lutheran Church held Lay Weekend Bible Studies. It was at this time that LaVerne & Dorothy Frick came to Flandreau from Canton to attend these studies on weekends and met Dean. After LaVerne's death in 1982, Dorothy would visit her daughter in Flandreau. The friendship between Dean and Dorothy grew and a proposal came in January of 1989. They were married at Redeemer Free Lutheran in Canton on March 25, 1989. Dean chuckled, "With one 'I DO', I became a husband, father, and grandfather." This union was a blessing to all of us. Dean is survived by his four children through marriage: Donna Smith, Flandreau,SD; Warren (Judy) Frick, Alpharetta, GA; Kathy (David) Holter, Canton, SD; Lanny (Kathy) Frick, Rogers, AR; grandchildren: Jon C. Smith, Chad Holter, Daniel Frick, Darin Frick, Todd Holter, Michael Smith, Lisa Shaurette, Amber Ball, Darcy Richard and a number of great and great great grandchildren. Dean is also survived by cousins on the Ekern, Eng, and Ellefson families. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy in 2018, parents, sister Eleanor Wheeler, infant siblings Elliot and Maxine, and numerous relatives.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, September 12, 2020, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Flandreau with a visitation beginning at 11:00 am with Pastor Alan Blankenfeld, officiating.  Burial will take place at 11:00 am on Monday, September 14, 2020 at Dalesburg Lutheran Cemetery, rural Vermillion, SD.