Dean Jackson

Dean “Petey” E. Jackson, 74, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, while surrounded by family at Northgate Care Center in Waukon, IA. Visitation will be held at Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon on Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 9:00 – 11:00 AM. Services will follow at Center Baptist Church in rural Lansing, IA, on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 2:00 PM, where burial will also be held.

Dean “Petey” Eric Jackson was born September 29, 1952, in Waukon, IA, to Lyle and Wilma Jackson. He graduated from Waukon High School in 1970, and served in the Army National Guard from 1970 to 1976. He married the love of his life, Mary Johnson, on August 18, 1973, in Spring Grove, MN.

Together, Dean and Mary built their life on a farm outside Waukon, where they worked hard and loved harder. Their three children were Dean’s pride and joy, and he shared his love of fishing, hunting, softball, fireworks, hearing other people’s life stories, and his “can do” attitude with them. He was a lifelong learner whose humble intelligence, physical strength, and determination to persevere on his own terms were unmatched. In addition to farming, Dean was an entrepreneur who pursued several successful business ventures over the years related to cattle, mushroom hunting, and scrap metal. He also salvaged materials from several homes and repurposed them to build the family home, creating a lasting testament to his resourcefulness.

Dean was a fixture in the community who welcomed people from all walks of life and made friends wherever he went. He especially enjoyed having breakfast with friends, playing various strategy games, reading or watching Westerns, visiting with family, and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He will be remembered for his integrity, strength, loyalty, determination, and the many friendships he formed throughout his life. Most of all, he will be remembered as a steadfast husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers and their wives: Donald (Barb) Jenkins and Gary (Sharon) Jackson; two sisters: Juliann Wolfson and Gloria Jackson; and a brother-in-law Elliott Wolfson. He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Mary Jackson; his children: Darcie (Jason) Kopischke, Joshua (Rebecca) Jackson, and Amber (Andrew) Sandvick; and 12 grandchildren: Noah, Benjamin, Abbie, Sean (Chelsea), Daniel, and Sadie Kopischke, Thomas, Tabitha, and Miriam Jackson. and Oliver, Ivy, and Emma Sandvick. He is also survived by his brother Lyle (Phyllis) Jackson; his sisters: Darla (David) Anderson and Dolly Anderson; four brothers-in-law; six sisters-in-law; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Even the strong ones need to rest.

Honorary casketbearers are Noah Kopischke, Oliver Sandvick, Lyle Eric Jackson, and Joe Jackson. Casketbearers are Ben, Sean, Jason, and Daniel Kopischke, Thomas, Josh, and Tucker Jackson, and Andrew Sandvik.