Obituary: Dean Mitchell Switzky - Class of 1940

MADISON [Wisconsin] - Dean Mitchell Switzky, age 79, of Madison, died Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2002, at Meriter Hospital of heart failure. Dean was born Nov. 28, 1922, in his grandparents' Mount Vernon farmhouse, where he spent many happy summers as a child. He married the former Irene M. Hendrickson June 22, 1946, the same year he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army. Dean served in the South Pacific during World War II, enlisting shortly after graduation from Madison Central High School in 1940. A master plumber, Dean worked for Morgan Plumbing for a number of years and the University of Wisconsin for several decades. He was also a hobby farmer in the Mount Horeb area, raising Angus cattle and other miscellaneous farm animals. Active in the 1318 VFW Post, Dean was a member of the military order of the Cootie, the Elks Lodge and was an active member of the Perry Lutheran Church, Daleyville. Known and appreciated for his sense of humor and wit, Dean was an avid reader and loved puzzles, cards and professional sports. Fishing was also a passion, but family always came first to Dean, who fathered four children, 12 grandchildren, two step-grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Irene; daughters, Susan (Michael) Schroeder, Spooner, Debra (Paul) Neutkens, St. Paul, Minn., and DeAnne (Carl) Chappell, Boscobel; daughter-in-law, Maria Switzky, Verona; a sister, Joyce Wellcome of Waunakee; and a brother, John (Dorothy) Switzky of Friendship. He was preceded in death by his parents, Saul and Stella (Mitchell) Switzky; son, Dennis; and grandson, Saul. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, 2002, at PERRY LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1057 Highway 78 South, Daleyville, with Jonathon Kosec officiating. Burial will follow at Mount Vernon Cemetery, with full military honors. Friends may call Friday, Oct. 4, 2002, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at ELLESTAD FUNERAL HOME, 500 N. Eighth St., Mount Horeb. Dad, your grandchildren will miss your lap, your children will miss your counsel and your wife will miss your good night kiss. You will always be in our hearts, now and forever.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on October 4, 2002; submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)