Dean Spike

Dean Walter Spike died October 9th in Osceola at age 91.  He was born on a farm northeast of Laurel to Walter Lars and Helen Edna (Ream) Spike on October 29, 1931.

Services will be held at the United Methodist Church in Silver Creek at 10:30 am Friday, October 13, 2023 with Rev. Connie Kramer officiating.  Burial in the Silver Creek Cemetery.  Military rites by American Legion Post 263. Visitation prior to the services to be held at the church Thursday 5-7 pm.  Dean was a member of the United Methodist Church as well as the American Legion Post 263 for more than 50 years.  He was also a member of the Duncan V.F.W.

At age four the family moved to Clarkson.  In 1940 a move was made to Leigh.  Then in 1942 the family moved to a farm northeast of Albion. The following year it was on to Newman Grove briefly, then to Omaha until the fall of 1944.  From there back to northeast of Albion.  In the spring of 1945 the family moved to a farm south of Primrose where Walter went into a partnership with V.J. Heine raising registered Shorthorn cattle.

Dean graduated from Primrose High School in 1950 then joined the US Air Force in 1952.  Basic training was at Parks AFB in Pleasanton, Calif. In July it was on to Keesler AFB Mississippi for radio school.  After a 30 day break back home, he went to Fort Dix NJ.  In July 1953 he was shipped over to Bremerhaven Germany where he was a radio operator for three years and was able to travel all over Europe.  In April 1956 Dean left Germany, had a brief stop in Scotland then to Goose Bay Labrador, Canada and on to McGuire AFB in New Jersey and discharged at Manhattan Beach, New York April 30, 1956.  Flying with his buddy Harry from La Guardia Airport, NY to Chicago then on to Omaha, they parted ways.  Dean was met by his family in Columbus and on to the farm at Primrose.

He began farming with his Dad and brother Wayne.  In March, 1960 the family moved to a farm which Walter had purchased northwest of Clarks.  Then the following year, Dean, his brother Don and Dad moved to Silver Creek where they had purchased a service station and motel.

Dean was appointed Postmaster in Silver Creek in January 1966.  He went to the rural route in 1980 before retiring Oct 31, 1996.

Dean married Sandra Haase June 27, 1970 at the United Methodist Church in Silver Creek.  He was blessed with two loving sons, Jeff and Chuck.

Dean is survived by son Jeff (Jin) Haase of Lincoln and Chuck (Joyce) Haase of Grand Island, Grandchildren Stacey (Clay) Frankel of Kissimmee,  Florida, Laura (Adam) Hoffman of Concord, NC, Ashley (Josh) Burson, of Lincoln, Ryan (E.J.) Haase of Minneapolis, Jason (Daniela) Haase of Minneapolis, and Rachel Haase of Minneapolis.  Great grandchildren Sydney, Alexander and Spencer Frankel, Easton, Emerson and Boston Hoffman, Brianna, Brysen, Brynley and Brookley Burson, Chloe, Paige and Emma Haase, Gian, Amelia and Giulia Haase.  Brother Don (Lisa) Spike of Sacramento, CA, sister Darlene Fischer of Fairmont, brother Wayne (Virginia) Spike of Cedar Rapids, and brother Kevin Spike of Saronville.  Sister-in-law Pat Olsen of Lincoln, many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

Dean was preceded in death by his wife Sandra in 2004, parents Walter and Helen Spike, sister Betty in 1939 and sister Judy in 1946.

Memorials are suggested to the Silver Creek Legion Club 263 or donor's choice.