Dean Ellsworth Richardson

Dean Ellsworth Richardson, 87, died August 22, 2019 at the Keokuk County Health Center in Sigourney, Iowa. He was born January 12, 1932 to Lee Forrest and Evelyn Pansy Rowe Richardson on the family farm in Steady Run Township, Keokuk County, Iowa.  Upon graduation from Sigourney High School in 1950, he continued his education at Iowa State University until 1952 when he left to join the United States Army.  On Christmas day 1952 he married Martha Jane Hartley in Ft. Smith, Arkansas.  Shortly thereafter, he was deployed to Korea as a combat infantryman in the Korean Conflict.  Upon his return, he completed his education at Iowa State University, and graduated with a bachelor of science in forestry in 1957.  Dean served as a Forest Ranger in Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, Indiana, and Wisconsin.  In 1968 Dean and Martha purchased the What Cheer Lumber Yard which they operated until 1988.  In 1991 he was appointed as the Keokuk County Assessor until retiring in 2002.  He was a member of the United Methodist Church for 66 years, sang with the Wapello Chiefs, served as a member and president of the Sigourney School Board for 7 years, 10 years on the Keokuk County Conservation board, 3 years on the Sigourney Library Board, appointed to the Foster Care Review Board, a member of the Sigourney Lion’s Club serving as president and secretary, and an active member in the Sigourney VFW.  Dean was presented a Medal of Honor from the Korean American Cultural Foundation for the 50th Anniversary of the Korean War.  He enjoyed spending time with his family, woodworking, and spending time outdoors.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Martha, two daughters Susan (Roger) Gassett of Cedar Rapids, Debra Poor of Cedar Rapids, two sons David (Janice Kerkove) Richardson of Cedar Rapids and Dan (Dana) Richardson of Prescott, Iowa.  Eleven grandchildren, two great- granddaughters, two sisters Beverly Chemielle of Denver, CO, Donna (Max) Michel of Sigourney.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother Marvin Richardson