Dean Himschoot

Dean Whitmore Himschoot, 91, of Ash Flat, Arkansas, passed from this life January 7, 2020, in Jonesboro. Born December 7, 1928, in Toledo, Iowa, he was the only child of Henry “Harry” Frances and LaVanche Whitmore Himschoot. He was a 1947 graduate of Orange High School in South Waterloo, Iowa. Although Dean did not have any siblings, he was extremely close to his cousins. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Gladine Rayman Himschoot, who was a true partner in all aspects of their life together. In 1977 they were awarded Farm Family of the Year for Fulton County, Arkansas. Dean is survived by six children and their spouses: Johnny (Janet), Monte (Jan), Lynn (Dale) Sharp, Jody (Lewis-deceased) Roberts, Todd (Sabrina), and Chad (Christy); 14 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren. Dean loved agriculture and ranching. He became a partner with his father in farming before he graduated from high school. They farmed at Hudson, Iowa, until 1966 when Dean moved his family to Ash Flat to raise cattle and his family. Dean was known as an honest hard-working man. He believed in putting in a full day’s work. He was an excellent provider and mentor for his family. When he retired from ranching in 2014, he began his avocation of rebuilding antique Allis Chalmers tractors and equipment. Dean was also known for loving polkas and country music. He served in the following organizations: Fulton County Soil Conservation for 14 years and the Cattlemen’s Association for 20 years (a part of that time as chairman). He was an active member of the Ash Flat United Methodist Church and served as Chairman of the Board for several years. In Iowa he was a member of the Odd Fellows, a board member of the Traer United Methodist Church, and the National Farmers Organization. To celebrate Dean’s 80th birthday, his children established the Dean and Gladine Himschoot Scholarship in their parents’ honor to assist two graduating Highland High School seniors further their education. This scholarship helped ten students with college expenses. Visitation of family and friends will be Saturday, January 11, from 12:30 p.m. until funeral service time at 2 p.m., all in the chapel of Tri-County Funeral Home at Highland, Arkansas. Carrying Dean to his final earthly resting place in Oaklawn Cemetery at Highland will be his grandsons: Sean, Christopher, Tim, Matthew, Michael, Blake, Aaron Dunn, Trevor, and Cline. Honorary pallbearers will be his granddaughters: Cheryl Nichols, Beth Greer, Brooke Himschoot, Shelby Sprenkel, and Claire Himschoot. The family thanks the Ash Flat community for the love and support during Dean’s declining years. For lasting memorials, please consider Heifer International, 1 World Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72202 www.heifer.org, Ash Flat United Methodist Church, and Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House, 1148 E. Matthews, Jonesboro, AR 72401.