Dean Roland McGee

Dean Roland McGee found peace early on Wednesday morning August 14, 2024 at the American Lutheran Home in Mondovi, Wisconsin. 

Dean was born at home in Alma, Wisconsin on February 11, 1942 to Edward “Jack” & Rhodell “Rhodie” (née Larson) McGee, the second born of sixteen children. 

He graduated from Gilmanton High School in 1960 and started work for the Buffalo County Highway Department the same year. In 1962, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in Monteith Barracks Nuremberg, Germany as a tank driver, until his honorable discharge in 1965. He was forever proud to have served his country. Upon return from service, Dean resumed work with the Highway Department as a grader operator, making safe the “hairpin curves” of Buffalo County.

While enjoying an evening of card games, he met his co-worker’s sister, Sally Sessions, the one true love of his life. The couple married at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Modena, Wisconsin on June 3, 1967. They enjoyed over 57 years of adventure and loving care for each other. 

Dean was so proud of his daughters Pam and Susie, who brought joy, laughter, and of course a little mischief to his life. Carving microphones for the girls to showcase their singing talents, building toys, and later sharing his skills and sense of humor with the next generation: his grandchildren Derick, Dominick, Isaac, and Erika and great-granddaughter Olivia. 

Alongside his 40 year career with Buffalo County, retiring in 2000, he was just curious and brave enough to start a small engine hobby shop, known lovingly as “Dean’s Garage.” Mowers, snowblowers, weed whips, wood splitters, chainsaws, and the like were all his specialty. He was also an incredibly talented woodworker, having built his home in 1978 and filled it with many furnishings of his own making. If you knew Dean, you knew his generous heart. He was always willing to lend a hand and share a laugh, and he always had a place for you at his dining room table (or in his garage).  

He enjoyed and expertly whistled classic country music, westerns on TV, and road trips around the midwest with Sally and Derick. 

A long time and devoted member of Zion Lutheran Church, Dean knew he was heaven bound. Recently, he was so thankful for the livestream services, closed communion, and visits from Pastor.  

Dean’s memory will live on through his wife of 57 years, Sally of Mondovi; daughter Susie (Dennis) Segerstrom of St. Cloud, Minnesota; son-in-law Scott Spanjer of Fargo, North Dakota; grandchildren Derick Segerstrom, Dominick (Kelsey) Segerstrom, Isaac Spanjer, and Erika Spanjer, and Great-Granddaughter Olivia Segerstrom; siblings Mary McGee, Jim (Linda) McGee, Nancy Winberg, Donna (Ken) Schmitt, Larry (Barb) McGee, Dixie (Joe) Kahne, Terry (Kim) McGee, Bobby (Dixie) McGee, and Joy Kellner; sibling-in-laws Shirley McGee, Gail McGee, Joy McGee, Marjorie Heck, Margaret Sessions, Linda (Kenny) Wulff, Rene (Dale) Laehn, Bill (Betty) Sessions, Rick Sessions, and Roger Sessions (Jenny Skistad); and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, countless friends and his “bonus daughter” Heidi (Roland) Faulkner.  

Dean was joyfully reunited in heaven with his parents, Jack and Rhodie; mother- and father-in-law Art and Hilda Sessions; daughter Pam; siblings Jean (Stanley) Quale, Dick McGee, Dale McGee, Randy McGee, Billy McGee, and Shawn McGee; siblings-in-law Dwight Winberg, Jon Steinke, Marvin Heck, Roland (Helen) Sessions, Terry Sessions, and Cindy Sessions; and several nieces and nephews. 

Dean and his family would like to thank the American Lutheran Home, Luther Mayo Health Systems, the Chippewa Valley V.A., and the many talented care individuals who helped him reach a well earned 82-years.  

In lieu of flowers, please direct donations to Zion Lutheran Church

A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 16, 2024 at 1:00 PM at Zion Lutheran Church in Mondovi with interim Pastor, Mark Benning officiating.  Full military honors will follow at the church.  A memorial gathering will be held at the church on Friday, August 16 from 11:00 AM until the hour of the service.  Inurnment at Oak Park Cemetery will be at a later date.