Dean P. Eilts

Well-known Cass County auctioneer and farmer, Dean P. Eilts, aged 84, died July 9, 2024, at his home near Wiota, Iowa.

Dean Paul Eilts was born in Atlantic, Iowa on March 26, 1940, son of Lois Elsie (Smith) and Paul Henry Eilts of Wiota. He grew up on their family farm south of Wiota and was baptized and confirmed at First Evangelical Lutheran Church. He attended Gold Hill Country School through the fifth grade; then attended the Wiota Consolidated School, graduating from Wiota High School with the Class of 1958. He attended the Reisch School of Auctioneering in Mason City, Iowa the summer of 1956.

After high school graduation, he began his lifelong career as an auctioneer and farmer. He had a cow-calf operation and raised hogs. Dean purchased a farm southeast of Wiota and lived there until his death. He had many auctions over the years and worked periodically at the Anita and Massena sale barns. He volunteered for over 60 years at the Cass County 4-H/FFA Fair Sale. He served nine years on the Cass County ASCS Committee and also served for several years as a Franklin Township trustee. He was an active member of First Lutheran Church and held various offices in the church.

On June 28, 1959, he married Vera Darlene Nelsen at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Anita, IA. To this union were born four children, Laurie Lee, Thomas Dean, Timothy Dean and Todd Paul. Vera died in 1971.

On September 9, 1972, Dean married Virginia Lee Coughlin at St. Timothy Catholic Church south of Cumberland, Iowa. To this union one child was born, Jennifer Lee. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2022. 

Survivors include his wife of over 50 years, Virginia, of Wiota; sons, Tom (Linda) and Tim (Karla) of Wiota; daughter, Jennifer (Sean) McKenney of Cape Elizabeth, Maine; grandchildren, Jessica (TJ) Barber, Nicole Eilts, Logan Eilts, Keegan McKenney and Cormac McKenney; great-grandchildren, Lilly, Drew and AJ Barber, Karley and Briauna Eilts; other relatives and friends.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Paul & Lois Eilts; infant children, Laurie Lee and Todd Paul; first wife, Vera; his sister, Janice Rosenquist; and grandson, Jason Eilts.

The family will greet relatives and friends, Sunday, July 14, from three p.m. to five p.m., at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic.

A Memorial service will be held, Monday, July 15, ten-thirty a.m., at First Lutheran Church, south of Wiota. Burial will take place in First Lutheran Cemetery, immediately following.

The Memorial service is available for viewing on Pastor Mike Bodkins' YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhv2PYPO1xk

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Dean’s family and his arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.