Dean F. Van Dreel, 72, Township of Chase, passed away Monday, January 16, 2023, at Aurora BayCare, Green Bay, surrounded by family. The son of Frank and Edna (Johnson) Van Dreel was born March 7, 1950, in Green Bay.
Dean was a 1968 graduate of Pulaski High School. On March 9, 1970, he married Linda Prokash. Dean was an over-the-road truck driver for most of his working career, logging over five million miles between Canada and the United States. He retired in September 2014.
Dean helped develop the Sno-Chasers trail system and was a founding member of the club in the 1970s. He enjoyed grooming the trails and was an avid snowmobiler. Countless hours were spent in his shop tinkering with cars, boats, snowmobiles and tractors. He also enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson and touring the continent. For 15 years, Dean had a yearly booyah party where near the end, close to 500 guests would attend.
Dean is survived by his wife, Linda; three children: Paula (Dale) Boerschinger, Pamela (John) Blazei, and Dean “Cork” Van Dreel II; 7 grandchildren: Waylon Clark, Brooke Clark, Triston Hendricks, Emilee Hendricks, Lucas Hendricks, Mercedes (Adam) Drew, Dean “CJ” Van Dreel III; five bonus-grandchildren, Michael Boerschinger, Matthew Boreschinger, Lynn (Scott) Vogeltanz, Kari Blazei, Taylor Schwarm; three bonus-great-grandchildren: Kara, Kyle, Jacob; and a sister, Diane (Neil) Ditzman. He is further survived by his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Mary Van Dreel, Sandy Van Dreel, Judy (Dennis) Reimer, Barbara Resch, Michael (Sandra) Prokash, Cathy (David) Meyer, Tim (Linda) Prokash, Bill (Linda) Prokash, Jack (Vicki) Breitenfeldt, Bruce (Cheryl) Breitenfeldt, and Scott (Lori) Prokash; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Edna; in-laws, Frank and Virginia Prokash and Jannette Prokash; three brothers: Jerry Van Dreel, Frank Van Dreel Jr., and Dale Van Dreel; a sister and brother-in-law, Donna and Tom Woosencraft; brother-in-law, Larry Resch; his nephew, Jeff Van Dreel; and a niece, Angeline Resch.
Friends are invited to gather with family at Marnocha Funeral Home, 186 E. Pulaski St., Pulaski, on Monday, January 23, from 4-7 p.m. Visitation will continue at Peace Lutheran Church, 1954 Cty Rd U, Green Bay, on Tuesday from 9-11 a.m. The Funeral Service will take place at 11 a.m. with Pastor Stuart Dornfeld officiating. The family requests casual attire for both days.
Dean’s family would like to thank the short-stay staff and the valet and transport staff at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Green Bay.