Dean Barber

Dean J. Barber, 59, of Lansing, IA, died surrounded with love on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at Aase Haugen Home in Decorah, IA. Graveside services will be held at a later date in Evergreen Cemetery in Anita, IA. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon, IA, assisted the family.

Dean J. Barber was born March 16, 1966, in Atlantic, IA, the son of Rex and Janell (Claussen) Barber. He grew up on a farm in Anita, IA. While attending Anita High School, Dean was involved in FFA, Speech, school plays, and in his junior year, joined the National Guard. When he was younger, Dean was a farm hand with his older brothers for the family farm and they took many camping trips to Colorado as a family. After graduating in 1984, Dean attended Southwestern Community College in Creston, IA, for a brief time before joining the U.S. Navy for 20 years. On December 7, 1989, he married Sabrina Mancini in Itri, Italy. They moved to San Diego, CA, where they had their son in 1991, and then moved to Gaeta, Italy and had their daughter in 1993. The family moved to Roda, Spain before Dean was stationed in Virginia Beach, VA, for 15 years. After 17 years of marriage, Dean and Sabrina divorced in 2006.

While in the Navy, Dean was a sonar technician. He also served in Kosovo during the Balkan War and then in Bosnia during the Bosnian War. In 2000, Dean was a first responder on the USS Donald Cook when the USS Cole was bombed off Yemen. After retirement, Dean and his kids moved to Atlantic, IA, in 2007, where he was his son's caregiver. Dean was the commander of the Atlantic VFW Post 3415 and participated in the funeral detail. He enjoyed fishing, boating, camping, hunting, gardening, and anything that had to do with traveling, making trips to France, Egypt, and Germany, and also loved the ocean. His life travels lead him to Lansing, IA, where they could be close to his daughter and grandkids. Dean liked playing soccer and baseball and attended games while stationed in Spain. When at home, Dean cooked, made jelly and jams, liked to read, played cards with family and friends, and loved spending time with his grandchildren.

Dean is survived by his children: Dean Barber II and Sasha (Eric) Rask; two grandkids: Natalie and Hudson Rask; three brothers: Thomas (Denise) Barber, Roy (Carol) Barber, and Jack (Mitchell) Barber; and his nieces and nephews: Laura (Jason) Carley, Leisa (Stacey) Hamilton, Eric (Lucile) Barber, and Aaron Barber.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a niece Claire Barber; and his aunts and uncles: Jolene Claussen, Larry Barber, Walter "Bud" Peterson, Ruth Barber Akers, and Linda Gundy Barber.