L. Dean Littlejohn

Dean Littlejohn, 69, passed away on Friday, June 29, 2012 after a tough fight with lung cancer. Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 1, from 5-7 p.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway in West Des Moines. A funeral mass will be held on Monday, July 2, at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church in West Des Moines. A private burial will take place at a later date at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery.

Dean was born on October 6, 1942, in Ottumwa, Iowa, to Gertrude LeBow Littlejohn and Lawrence G. Littlejohn. He endured a nomadic childhood attending 13 different schools throughout Iowa and Missouri in just 11 years. He was a Vietnam veteran of the U.S. Navy serving on the U.S.S. Mahan. The Navy enabled Dean to travel the world and he relished the experience.

It was on leave in Japan that he purchased a beautiful set of china for a special girl back home. That girl, Delores Flahive, would later become his bride. They were married in Albia, Iowa on October 3, 1964 and had two daughters, Justine and Kristin. Shortly thereafter he began a career at John Deere in Ankeny that would span more than 30 years until his retirement in 1997.

Dean was a devoted father to his daughters. He once remarked that he could live very peacefully on a mountain somewhere with just his wife and girls. He spent countless hours in the backyard teaching both girls to become softball pitchers. He coached their teams for years, even serving as President of the West Des Moines Girls Softball Association. Dean’s harem of girls expanded with the addition of four granddaughters to whom he was affectionately known as “Papa.”

Dean had a keen sense of humor and a sharp wit. He loved the warm sun on his skin, a cold beer in his hand, and barbecue on the grill. He was an avid reader and film buff, and absolutely loved music of all types. His eclectic taste ranged from Neil Diamond and Barbra Streisand to Bruce Springsteen and Bob Seger. But never any Beatles. Never.

Dean was also a passionate sports fan with three distinct favorites from which he never wavered: the St. Louis Cardinals, the Green Bay Packers, and above all, his beloved Hawkeyes. He was delighted to see both of his daughters graduate from the University of Iowa, and even more proud of his oldest granddaughter, Taylor, who chose to follow in their Hawkeye footsteps.

Dean is survived by his wife of nearly 48 years, Delores Littlejohn; his daughters, Justine Dalbey and Kristin Littlejohn, both of West Des Moines; son-in-law, John Dalbey; former son-in-law, Troy Overstreet; granddaughters, Taylor and Makenzie Dalbey and Lily and Caroline Overstreet. In addition, Dean leaves behind his siblings, Barb Mackie of Fort Madison, Iowa, Sally Jo Scott of Urbandale, Iowa, Jim Goodwin of California and Robert Littlejohn of Ottumwa, Iowa; and many sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to ChildServe, Animal Rescue League or Sacred Heart Church.

Online condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

Papa will be forever in our hearts and never forgotten. Here’s to you, Papa, “We love you, and Go, Hawks!”

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