In Memory

Dean Werlinger

Dean Werlinger

Dean Werlinger

October 5, 1960 - February 15, 2001

 

 (Photo above: Dean in the National Guard, taken in 1978.  Dean also served in the US Army.  Above right: Cobblers Jr. Class, also 1978.  Central High School, Rapid City, SD.)

 Dean A. Werlinger was born Oct. 5th, 1960 in Sturgis, SD.  He attended schools in Deadwood, Ft. Collins, CO, and in Rapid City.  Dean attended Grandview Elementary, South Jr. High, and Rapid City Central as a proud 1979 Cobbler.  After graduation, Dean joined the Army and was stationed in Germany where he met his wife, Heike.  They were married in Rapid City, then moved on to Tacoma, WA, where Dean completed his service to his country in the US Army. The family then moved to Kent, WA, where Dean attended mechanic's school. He soon became employed by Fedex as a service technician.  Dean was employed at a company making CDs at the time of his death.

Dean was killed in Seattle, WA, on February 15, 2001, while riding his Harley to work.  A car crossed the road and hit him head-on, killing him instantly.  Dean was a member of the Seattle Chapter of the Harley Owner's Group (HOGs), where he had many great and caring friends (see www.seahogmemorial.com)

Dean is in our hearts, and we will forever miss him.  He was a great son, brother, husband, classmate, but most of all...  DAD!  Dean is survived by his wife, Heicke, his daughters: Kayleigh, 19,  Brandie, 13,  Shanda, 28, (with Dean's grandchildren, Cody, 11, & Lacee, 8) and his son Tobin, 17.  Dean's parents, Jim & Darlene, still live in Rapid City.  Dean is also survived by his sisters Joy and Kami, and brother Jay.

Dean A. Werlinger was interred in Sturgis, South Dakota, at St. Aloysius Cemetery on Feb. 20, 2001.

 

 Cobblers, 1979!   Dean's graduation picture.

 

 May 24, 1979. Graduation Day.  Dean with Grandma Werlinger (left), and Grandma Erickson (right).

  

 Dean wrestling with his 3 youngest kids: Kayleigh, Brandie, & Tobin.

 

 The "65 'cuda."  Dean raced with his 'Cuda as often as he could.

 

 Dean & his "Herley" (as he called it).  Unless it snowed, this was Dean's main transportation.

 

 

 

 



 
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03/14/09 11:44 PM #1    

Steave Barness

Dean Werlinger. Wow. I didn't know Dean all that well, but while we were at the old Central, we'd go to lunch together once in a while. I lost touch with him right after graduation. What I do remember about Dean is that his family use to own a bunch of Ice Cream trucks. He would drive them in the summer. I remember one summer day, he came by our house. I jumped in the truck and we took off. He then ejected the 8-track tape that was playing those familiar Ice Cream Truck chimes....and he put in an Aerosmith 8-track and cranked it up as we drove around the neighborhood. I was laughing the entire time I ate that Orange Creamcicle. Dean, may your God keep you close and play the type of music YOU want to listen to. Peace my friend.

03/16/09 09:56 PM #2    

Mike Trautman

A very well remembered memory of Dean I have is he had an old dodge with a push button transmission. We used to run skyline drive in it. It handled like a tank but we laughed all the way from top to bottom. Rest in peace Dean.

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