Franklin "Dean"

Fernau

Butte — Franklin "Dean" Fernau, 88, of Butte, died Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at Faith Regional Hospital in Norfolk.

Memorial visitation will be held from 9:30-11 a.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at the Butte Community Center in Butte.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at the community center in Butte. In memory of Dean, please consider wearing blue jeans at the service.

A private family burial will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the family for future designation.

Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill is in charge of the arrangements.

Franklin, better known as Dean, was born on Feb. 2,1937 in Butte, to William “Bill” Fernau and Monica (Salmen) Fernau.  He attended Butte Public School and graduated in May of 1955.

On June 11,1957, he was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart Marlene Schroetlin at the Butte Community Church.  Soon after they moved to Fort Bragg, NC where he was enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a paratrooper.  After he was honorably discharged in 1959, they returned to Butte to make their home.  He farmed and they later moved into town and owned Dean's Place on Main Street of Butte in the 1970's.

They had four children Danny, Renee, Lori, Wesley and David Hood who also joined the family.  

Early in life Dean enjoyed being on the farm and was an avid baseball player as he was invited to try out for the New York Yankees after high school graduation. In his later years, Dean enjoyed gardening, taking care of his chickens and horses and fishing. Many residents in Butte would often see Dean driving around in his mule (UTV) getting mail or running errands around town. Dean loved spending time with his grandchildren and happy hour with friends.

Dean is survived by his five children Danny (Lindy) Fernau, Renee (Scott) Brewster, Lori (Jeff) Norris, Wesley Fernau and David Hood; 13 grandchildren Jay Fernau, Jess (Shanna) Fernau, Jenna (Joe) Hesse, Ryan Brewster, Stefanie (Brad) Pistulka, Britanie Brewster, Christopher (Kelli) Brewster, Christian Norris, Zoey Norris, Aiden Norris, Chelsie (Seth) Rocco, Autumn Fernau and Taylor Fernau; 13 great-grandchildren Brylie, Breckynn and Ben Pistulka, Olivia and Oliver Fernau, McKenzie, Macy and Carter Brewster, Dominic Fernau, Beck, Ricki, Maclyn and baby Hesse; one brother Harold (Mary Lou) Fernau; and four sisters Sharon Voigt, Darlene Livingston, Kathy (Greg) Hansen and Judy (Ronnie) Atkinson.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife Marlene; parents-in-law Herman and Lucille Schroetlin; one sister Betty Hood; one brother Tom Fernau; one sister in-law Tomi Fernau; and three brothers-in-law Delbert Hood, Leland Richardson and Meredith Livingston.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.biglinsmortuary.com.