1955
Brenda
2015
Brenda "Jo" Dean
October 4, 1955 — May 10, 2015
Brenda Jo (Koster) Dean passed away on May 10, 2015, surrounded by her loved ones in her home in Beloit, Kansas, at the age of 59. Jo was born on October 4, 1955, in Beloit, Kansas.
Jo is survived by her husband, Jerry Dean; brother, John Koster, Cawker City; sisters, Marla (Koster) Fisher, Garden City, KS, and Debbie (Koster) Thomas, Fowler, KS; 4 nieces and a nephew; and 8 great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Ruth Koster of Cawker City, KS.
Jo was raised on the family farm in Cawker City. She graduated from Waconda East in 1973, from Colby Community College in 1975 as a Veterinary Technologist; Kansas State University with a degree in English/Journalism; and in 1989 she earned her Master's Degree in English from Middlebury College at the Breadloaf School of English in Vermont. She dedicated a summer studying Shakespeare at Oxford University in England. Jo taught at St. Francis High School from 1980 to 1999. She married Jerry Dean in 1993, and began teaching at Beloit High School in 1999, and remained there until she retired in May of 2014. Jo was an accomplished and passionate educator who influenced many students throughout her time at both St. Francis and Beloit High Schools. She enjoyed sharing her love of the written word, and her immense knowledge of the subject was often called upon by former students. Mrs. Dean not only served as a high school English teacher and journalism teacher, but also as a mentor to many that passed through her classroom. Jo enjoyed working in her gardens and readying her big backyard for the next family gathering all while being surrounded by her beloved furry companions. In her youth, Jo filled free moments with any activities centered around her animals. Summers and holiday breaks were spent traveling around the country to visit and spend time with family and friends. Favorite and often visited destinations were Estes Park, Colorado, and Hannibal, Missouri.
A memorial vigil will be held on Friday, May 22, 2015 at 7:00 PM at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Cawker City. The memorial service will be Saturday, May 23 at 10:30 AM at the Church with a dinner following at the Church Hall. Burial of the ashes will be private. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Jo's life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Jo Dean Memorial Fund.
The family thanks all who supported Jo with care and dedication throughout her illness.
Jo is survived by her husband, Jerry Dean; brother, John Koster, Cawker City; sisters, Marla (Koster) Fisher, Garden City, KS, and Debbie (Koster) Thomas, Fowler, KS; 4 nieces and a nephew; and 8 great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Ruth Koster of Cawker City, KS.
Jo was raised on the family farm in Cawker City. She graduated from Waconda East in 1973, from Colby Community College in 1975 as a Veterinary Technologist; Kansas State University with a degree in English/Journalism; and in 1989 she earned her Master's Degree in English from Middlebury College at the Breadloaf School of English in Vermont. She dedicated a summer studying Shakespeare at Oxford University in England. Jo taught at St. Francis High School from 1980 to 1999. She married Jerry Dean in 1993, and began teaching at Beloit High School in 1999, and remained there until she retired in May of 2014. Jo was an accomplished and passionate educator who influenced many students throughout her time at both St. Francis and Beloit High Schools. She enjoyed sharing her love of the written word, and her immense knowledge of the subject was often called upon by former students. Mrs. Dean not only served as a high school English teacher and journalism teacher, but also as a mentor to many that passed through her classroom. Jo enjoyed working in her gardens and readying her big backyard for the next family gathering all while being surrounded by her beloved furry companions. In her youth, Jo filled free moments with any activities centered around her animals. Summers and holiday breaks were spent traveling around the country to visit and spend time with family and friends. Favorite and often visited destinations were Estes Park, Colorado, and Hannibal, Missouri.
A memorial vigil will be held on Friday, May 22, 2015 at 7:00 PM at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Cawker City. The memorial service will be Saturday, May 23 at 10:30 AM at the Church with a dinner following at the Church Hall. Burial of the ashes will be private. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Jo's life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Jo Dean Memorial Fund.
The family thanks all who supported Jo with care and dedication throughout her illness.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Brenda "Jo" Dean, please visit our flower store.
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