Dean Charles Mann, the son of Clarence L. Mann and Cora (Gaisford) Mann was born in Ellis, Nebraska on June 8, 1920, and died in Aurora, Nebraska on January 3, 2003, at the age of 82 years.

He was born on a farm south of Ellis, Nebraska. He attended rural schools in Jefferson and Gage Counties and graduated from Beatrice High School in 1938.

Dean was united in marriage to Doris I. Kollekowski on January 24, 1942 at Marysville, Kansas. He worked for several farmers at an early age and then worked in a Beatrice factory for several years.

Dean served in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1945. He served in World War II in Europe and he received six battle stars, a good conduct medal, and a Presidential citation. He received an honorable discharge in 1945. Upon his return from the service, he started farming in Ellis, Nebraska. In 1957 they moved to Aurora and he was a dairy farmer until 1973 when they moved to town. He then worked at the Aurora Co-op for 19 years, 7 of which were part time.

Dean was a member of the United Methodist Church and the American Legion Post #42. He enjoyed making wooden items and attending craft shows. He liked to fish, play cards, and do activities with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Lester, Orra, and Keith; and five sisters: Leila Wierman, Esther Hudson, Florence Nickeson, Faye Carpenter, and Vivian Bartlett.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Doris of Aurora; 3 sons: Larry (Vernie) Mann of Cullman, Alabama; Terry (Connie) and Tim Mann of Aurora; 2 daughters: Karen (Ron) Perry of Aurora and Marcy (Kevin) Senff of York; 12 grandchildren: Jeff, Jim, Bradley, Blaine, Megan and Tammy Mann; Kandi Marshall; Christy Raasch; Brittney and Jacob Senff; Alan and Rod Perry; 11 great grandchildren and Helen Mann of Fultondale, Alabama.

Survivors also include five sisters: Clare (Francis) Howe and Blanche (Lyman) Bartlett of Beatrice, Bethal (Elmer) Krebs and Letty Phelps of Lincoln, and his twin sister, Doris (Kenneth) Menke of Aurora; four sisters-in-law: Lydia Mann of Beatrice; Beverly (Paul) Reedy of Wymore; Etta Kollekowski of Hardin, Montana; and Diane Kollekowski of Beatrice.