Dean Scott Schwenka was born on October 7, 1957, in Minden, Nebraska, to Richard “Dick” and Donna (Olsen) Schwenka. Dean and his five siblings grew up in the Minden area in a community of family and friends. He took part in a wide range of school activities and sports, particularly loving football and basketball, where he built lifelong bonds and lasting memories with his friends and classmates. Whenever talk turned to Mary Jo’s musical talent, Dean made sure his children knew he had been an “All-Conference tuba player” as a freshman. Dean graduated with the self-proclaimed “greatest class to come out of Minden High School” in 1975. He began college at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln before transferring to Kearney State College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business.

Dean was united in the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony to the love of his life Mary Josephine Ryan, on May 26, 1976, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Heartwell, Nebraska. They were blessed with the gift of six children: Stacy, Shannon, Jeremy, Colin, Andrew, and Christian. The family made their home in Minden and later moved to the family farm near Heartwell in 1995, where they remained until their retirement in 2025. Dean and Mary Jo were happily married for more than 50 years.

Over the years, Dean worked for Merryl Lynch, the Farmer’s Union Coop, and First National Bank of Omaha. His true life’s work and passion, however, was working with his loved ones on the family farm. There, he taught his children and grandchildren the importance of family, hardwork, helping those in need, and the patience that farm life requires.

Dean served his community as a member of the Minden School Board, the Minden Optimist Board, the Minden Rural Fire Department Board, the Aurora Coop Board, and the Franklin-Kearney County Corn Growers. At Holy Family and St. John’s Catholic Churches, he was a regular lector and acolyte—teaching his sons and grandsons how to serve at the altar—and a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Holy Family Church Council, and the Lincoln Serra Club in support of priests and seminarians.

Affectionately known as “Pa” by those who loved him most, he enjoyed playing golf and always looked forward to his annual golf trips with friends. True to form, he declared himself a “loyal fan” of half the sporting teams that exist, but his real allegiance was reserved for the Bears, Chiefs, Royals, and Huskers. Above all, he was a devoted fan and wonderful coach of his children and grandchildren, cheering on the Minden Whippets and Lincoln Pius X Thunderbolts.

Having always dreamed of seeing the world with his bride, Dean was blessed to travel to Rome and other European cities and holy places to visit Fr. Andrew, to historic American sites while visiting Fr. Christian on the east coast, and to friends and family on trips across the United States.

After a courageous battle with cancer, Dean was welcomed into the arms of Christ on August 20, 2026, with many of his family and closest friends waiting for him, including his infant son born at rest Jeremy Schwenka; his parents; his in-laws Eugene & Rose Ryan; his son-in-law Matthew Brass; his brother-in-law Matthew Hill; and his grandchildren Mary Gabriel Brass and John Paul Faustina Brass.

Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife, Mary Jo of Minden; his children Stacy Brass of Lincoln, Shannon (Joel) Kuehn of Heartwell, Colin (Mary) Schwenka of Heartwell, Fr. Andrew Schwenka, Fr. Christian Schwenka; his grandchildren Alexis, Kenton, Aiden, Gianna, Isaac, Emerson, Caleb, Cole, Cade, and Charli; his siblings Dick (Deb) Schwenka, Don (Linda) Schwenka, Denise (Chuck) Sinsel, Doug (Linda) Schwenka, and Deeann (Tim) Higgins; and his in-laws Tom (Deb) Ryan, Terry (Connie) Ryan, Karen (Kirk) Stubbendeck, and Julie Hill.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, August 31, 2026, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Minden with Fr. Andrew Schwenka, Fr. Christian Schwenka, and Fr. Evan Winter officiating. A recording of the Mass will be published to Dean’s tribute wall on the funeral home’s website following services. Interment will be held following the service at the Holy Family Catholic Cemetery near Heartwell. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 30, 2026, with family present from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Minden, with Rosary service at 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Dean’s honor are kindly suggested to St. Gregory the Great Seminary (Seward), St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center (Lincoln), or Kearney County Health Services. Arrangements are under the care of Craig Funeral Home in Minden.

Tributes and memories can be shared with the family at www.craigfunerals.com.