Memorial Services for Dean Fernau, age 88, of Butte, Nebraska will be at 11:00 am, Saturday March 15, 2025, at the Butte Community Center in Butte.  Memorial Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 11 am prior to the Service at the Butte Community Center.  A private family burial will be done at a later time.  Dean passed away on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at Faith Regional Hospital in Norfolk, NE.  Memorials may be directed to his family for future designation.  Arrangements are entrusted to Biglin's Mortuary in Spencer. To send online condolences, please visit www.biglinsmortuary.com

Franklin Dean Fernau, better known as Dean, was born on February 2,1937 in Butte, Nebraska to William "Bill" Fernau and Monica (Salmen) Fernau.  He attended Butte Public School and graduated in May of 1955.

On June 11,1957, he was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Marlene Schroetlin, at the Butte Community Church.  Soon after they moved to Fort Bragg, North Carolina where he was enlisted in the Army and served as a paratrooper.  After he was Honorably Discharged in 1959, they returned to Butte Nebraska to make their home.  He farmed and they later moved into town and owned Dean's Place on Main Street of Butte in the 1970's.

They had four children - Danny, Renee, Lori, Wesley, and David Hood who also joined the family.  Early in life Dean enjoyed being on the farm and was an avid baseball player as he was invited to try out for the New York Yankees after high school graduation.  In his later years, Dean enjoyed gardening, taking care of his chickens and horses, and fishing.  Many residents in Butte would often see Dean driving around in his mule (UTV) getting mail or running errands around town.  Dean loved spending time with his grandchildren and happy hour with friends.

Dean died on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at Faith Regional Hospital in Norfolk, Nebraska.  He is survived by his children; Danny (Lindy) Fernau, Renee (Scott) Brewster, Lori (Jeff) Norris, Wesley Fernau and David Hood; 13 grandchildren - Jay Fernau, Jess (Shanna) Fernau, Jenna (Joe) Hesse, Ryan Brewster, Stefanie (Brad) Pistulka, Britanie Brewster, Christopher (Kelli) Brewster, Christian Norris, Zoey Norris, Aiden Norris, Chelsie (Seth) Rocco, Autumn Fernau, and Taylor Fernau; 13 great-grandchildren - Brylie, Breckynn, and Ben Pistulka, Olivia and Oliver Fernau, McKenzie, Macy, and Carter Brewster, Dominic Fernau, Beck, Ricki, Maclyn, and baby Hesse; brother Harold (Mary Lou) Fernau; sisters Sharon Voigt, Darlene Livingston,  Kathy (Greg) Hansen, and Judy (Ronnie) Atkinson.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife, Marlene; parents-in-law Herman and Lucille Schroetlin; sister Betty Hood and brother Tom Fernau; sister in-law Tomi Fernau; brothers in-law Delbert Hood, Leland Richardson, Meredith Livingston.

In memory of Dean, please consider wearing blue jeans at the service.