Dean Alden Weibel
Obituary
Dean Weibel, age 91, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 18, 2022, at St Anne’s Hospital in Burien, Washington. He was born on December 31, 1930, in Madrid, Nebraska, spending most of his life in or around Vancouver, Washington.
After a 4-year stint in the Navy, and graduating from Central Washington College, he became an elementary school teacher in Longview, Washington. He was recognized by his peers as an advocate for public education, joining the WEA Board of Directors helping shape education policy in Washington State through the 1970s. The students who were in Dean’s classes always felt cared for and important. He loved making small mistakes so that students would see that it was OK to be imperfect, it just mattered that you tried. While living in Longview, Dean was involved in many community activities including Executive Director for the Chinook Council of the Boy Scouts and deacon for the Longview Community Church. Family was his most important job however with long weekends at the beach cabin and summer-long trips around the US making family central to all he did. He is survived by his wife of 70 years Donna; brother Merlin (Phyllis); sister Janice (Don dec.); his children Glenda (Robert), Mike (Barbara), and Dave (Kathy) along with his grandchildren Zachary, Brendan, Olivia, Bridget, and Sydney as well as many nieces and nephews.
Dean will be interred at the Tahoma National Cemetery in Covington, Washington. Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of life on Thursday, September 29 between 11:30 and 3:00 at the Lake Wilderness Lodge, 22500 SE 248th St, Maple Valley, WA 98038. Thoughts and memories can be left at www.bonnywatson.com
I have known the Weibel family for almost 60 years. Glenda and I were playmates in grade school when my family lived across the street from the Weibels. I remember them all fondly. Dean and Donna were such great parents and set amazing examples for their kids to follow. They were raised with much love and encouragements. We lost touch with each other as people do. I live on Garfield Street just a couple of blocks from where we all lived on Fir Street. Time is a God’s gift to us to ease our pain and sorrow when we lose a loved one. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Take good care of each other.
Kim Clarno (Pribbanow)