Dean Otto Gubbrud was born on May 3, 1952 and died on Feb 17, 2017. He was the last of four children born to Leslie Tyler Gubbrud and Gladys Marie (Thorshiem) Gubbrud. His growing up years were spent on a rural Alcester, SD farm and in Beresford, SD. Dean graduated from Beresford High School in 1970 and from USD Springfield Campus in 1974 where he obtained a BA degree in Business Administration.

Dean was an entrepreneur from an early age. When he was in the fourth grade he approached his Dad and his Grandmother asking them to buy him a lawn mower. They did so and Dean paid them back a little each week. Grandma Ella kept the books and they had a business meeting weekly. She rewarded Dean by taking him out for a hamburger and ice cream each time he made a payment.

As a teenager, Dean and his friend Mark Jensen purchased some calves and began to feed them and grow them to market size. They rented a place for them from Jean's mother-in-law and were committed to daily chores.

Dean worked for Senator Jim Abdnor through two of his political campaigns. He was a driver for Mr. Abdnor and they traveled the State of South Dakota.

Dean loved sports of all kinds. He played basketball for Beresford High all four years of his time there and he played with his college team for one year. Dean worked with his brother Dennis and, eventually, Dean became a business owner/manager for the 'Starting Gate Sports Bar and Grill' in St Paul, Minnesota. It was named the official St Paul home of the professional football team called the 'Pittsburg Steelers' and many Steelers fans watched the games at the Starting Gate on the TV's. Dean also attended Minnesota Twins and Vikings games in St Paul on a regular basis. He liked to attend the games his nephews were playing, too.

Dean loved to travel with his brother Dennis and, later, he and his friend Bob (Chooch) Pano traveled the world. Dean especially enjoyed the country of Jamaica. He had many friends there and they all waited for "Big Dean" to arrive. He also loved the State of Florida and swimming in the ocean.

Dean spent the last seven years of his life in Alcester, SD where he enjoyed working at the Alcester Care and Rehab Center in the Activity Department. He also spent time working for Woodfield Center, the Southeast South Dakota Activity Center and Hope Haven. Dean found he really enjoyed working with people who are challenged. He also volunteered for Nathanael Lutheran Church where he was a member.

Dean is survived by his sister Jean (Ron) Nelson, his brother Steven (Sue) Gubbrud, nephews Trent (Nancy) Nelson, David (Jodi) Gubbrud, Christopher (Tara) Gubbrud, and Tyler Gubbrud. His nieces are Tracy (Todd) Fish and Andrea (Beau) Sarr. His great nieces and nephews are Joshua Fish, Jordan Fish, Jon Gubbrud, Sam Gubbrud, Ellie Gubbrud, Ava Sarr, Ellie Sarr, and Myles Gubbrud.

Dean was preceded in death by his father, mother, brother Dennis, and great-nephew Joe.

A memorial service will be held 11:00 AM, Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at Nathanael Lutheran Church in Alcester. Dean's body was cremated following his death and his ashes will be spread in the Gulf of Mexico off the Florida coast.