- Date Of Birth: November 4, 1926
- Date Of Death: July 27, 2018
- State: Iowa
D. Dean Schlapia, 91, of Algona passed away Friday, July 27, 2018 at the Good Samaritan Society. Dean, beloved husband and father, is survived by his wife, Mary Jo; children: Linda (Mark) Speck, Ames, IA; Daryl (Barb) Schlapia, Independence, MO; LeAnn (Doug) Eggers, Ames, IA; David Schlapia, Arlington Heights, IL, and Jean (Mark) Biggs, Laveen, AZ; grandchildren: Joshua Speck, Alyssa Evertz, Nathan Eggers, Nicholas Eggers, Nicole Schlapia, Hannah Schlapia, Madeline Schlapia, and Luke Schlapia; six great grandchildren; sister, Eileen Dethloff, Howell, MI; sister-in-law, Louella Schlapia, Maquoketa, IA. He was preceded in death by his parents; infant grandson, Nathan Speck; brother, Lowell Schlapia, and sister, Iris Stephens. D. Dean Schlapia was born November 4, 1926 to Leonard and Grace (Kujath) Schlapia on their farm near Benton, Iowa. He attended country school and graduated Valedictorian from Benton High School. He enlisted in the Army Airforce and was to be part of the invasion of Japan. When the war ended, he was trained as Photographic Lab Tech, stationed with the 82nd Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Johnson, Jmmagawa, Japan, in charge of the lab’s finances and supplies while also developing of large reels of film. Years later he learned that their work provided 3 dimensional photographic images of the terrain and infrastructure to help our troops in the Korean War. After military service, Dean attended Creston Jr. College and Iowa State College graduating with a B.S. in Agronomy in 1951. His career took him to Clarinda, Centerville, Harlan, Ames and Algona. In each place, many were helped and blessed by his wise, encouraging counsel. On July 21, 1973 Dean was united in marriage with Mary Jo Thilges at the First United Methodist Church in Algona, Iowa. Dean was Vice President and loan officer for Security State Bank in Algona until his retirement in 1980. He was a 50+ year member of the Algona First United Methodist Church, a member of the American Legion, VFW, Shriners, 50+ year member of Prudence Masonic Lodge #205, and Grand Lodge Officer 1991-92. Dean enjoyed the game of golf and started an over 50 group that is still in existence today. He loved ballroom dancing, traveling and most of all his family. His contagious laughter, love for life and legacy of faith, family, friends, and fun will always be remembered and cherished.
