Dean Hunter

Howard Dean Hunter, the son of Ollie Viola (Bailey) and Howard Harris Hunter, was born April 3, 1924 at Guide Rock, Nebraska. He departed this life on Friday, February 10, 2012 at the Good Samaritan Center in Superior, Nebraska at the age of 87.

A lifelong resident of the Guide Rock community, Dean received his formal education attending the Guide Rock schools, graduating with the class of 1941. He then attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. A veteran of the United States Army, Dean served his country during World War II enlisting on December 8, 1942. He was assigned to the Air Corp focusing on anti-aircraft and engineering until his discharge on December 19, 1944. On Christmas Eve of 1943, Dean was married to Neva Mae Shaffer at San Marcos, Texas.

Dean was a businessman on Guide Rock's main street from 1934 until 1961. He began stocking shelves for Earl Crary Store at the age of 10. He worked for Ace Cameron at the garage, Luther "Fat" Wilson's bakery, the Gamble Store with Nate Bragg and Bert Guy, and he was the janitor of the Odd Fellows Hall. Dean recalled that his wages were what change he found on the floor after dances - no change - no wages.

Dean was a school teacher at District 4 and then at Eckley. From 1946 until 1961, he operated the grocery store and locker plant. He dedicated much of his life to serving others, working as a funeral director from 1958 until 1966, and then earned his insurance license and was in the insurance business and worked as a crop adjuster and realtor.

Dean was actively involved in a number of community and civic organizations. He joined the Guide Rock United Methodist Church in 1936, served on the church board, was Lay Leader and a Sunday School teacher. He was a member of the Lions Club and was a past District Zone Chairman; a past Potentate of the Tehama Shrine Temple; past board member of the Shrine Bowl; the Overland Trails Council Boy Scouts of America; he had been a Boy Scout Leader; past member of the Webster County Community Hospital Board of Trustees; and the Guide Rock Board of Education. Dean also served on the Board of Governors for the Shriners' Hospital for Children in Minneapolis; and he was an Honorary Admiral of the Great Navy of Nebraska. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge; the Order of Eastern Star, the American Legion, the Elks Club; Eagles Club, Shrine of North America, Royal Order of Jesters, Scottish Rite, Yrok Rite, Order of Quetzacogal; Chairman of Housing Committee for Guide Rock Area Development; he had served as a Webster County Commissioner, the Tehama Foot Patrol and the Tehama Clowns.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, Neva and his son, Randy.

Left to cherish his memory are his daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and Kenneth Fredrickson of Nunnelly, Tennessee; daughter-in-law, Sheila Hunter of Guide Rock; 7 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, other relatives and a host of friends.

Memorial services were held Saturday, 10:30 a.m., February 18, 2012 at the United Methodist Church in Guide Rock with the Rev. Joel Rathbun officiating. Interment was at the Guide Rock Cemetery.

Williams Funeral Home
241 West 4th Avenue
Red Cloud, Nebraska 68970

PH: 402-746-2500
williamsfuneralhomes@yahoo.com