1944 – 2022
Mr. Dean Joseph Doll passed away with his family by his side, at the Innisfail Health Centre, on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at the age of 78 years.
Dean was born on May 25, 1944 in Innisfail, Alberta. He was raised on the farm in Raven, where he enjoyed a glorious childhood, encompassing all manner of farming activities - everything from working with all the critters you can think of, riding horses, taking off the crops and swimming in the river. A true farm boy at heart! His early schooling years started out at grade school in Dickson, Alberta, and he completed his High School Diploma at Lindsay Thurber Composite High School in Red Deer.
In 1964, Dean married the love of his life, Janet Elsie Donkin. They had their first baby, Jodi Lynne in 1965. That same year, Dean began his Apprenticeship in Edmonton to become an Alberta Government Telephone Lineman. He began working with AGT, and three years later in 1968, Dean and Janet had their second baby, Kelly Dean. In 1969, Dean’s father’s health declined, and the family moved to Raven to help out with the farm. Later the same year, his dad passed, and Dean took over the farm, and they have been at it ever since. He ran a Mixed Farm and when he semi-retired, a few years back, he switched solely to grain farming.
There were trying times over the years, and he loved the land, but it wasn’t always easy to keep it going. He had to work out, as so many farmers have had to do, but he was always ready to try something new. He was also very handy, so he did a variety of things. Some carpentry, putting up metal buildings, custom farming, he even flew to Kuwait after Desert Storm in the early 90’s to work on crews putting out oil well fires, and in recent years, he transported crews out to rigs as a driver. Dean was very diverse.
He had a huge heart and cared deeply about people. He dedicated himself to Alcoholics Anonymous for forty-eight years after he found his own sobriety. He sponsored many people throughout that time, offering support to them as they went through the program. And he carried this on with whoever he met. He always had a listening ear - even to total strangers. It was one of his many gifts, and the number of people he touched is immeasurable. Dean was a natural born entertainer. He participated in many plays over the years, and sincerely enjoyed acting. An integral part of his and Janet’s life was music, and they spent a lot of time singing together in groups, and with their friends. He was a soloist and was called on from far and wide to lend his crooning voice to weddings, funerals and all manner of events and parties. And at those events you might have found him being the MC, as his comedic confidence preceded him. But the truth of it was, you may hear Dean crooning down the aisle at the local Hardware Store, just as easily as you would have in front of a crowd. It was just part of him.
Dean loved working with kids and enjoyed being a mentor to them. For several years he was a Scout Leader in Dickson and took the kids out on many excursions and Bivouacs. He was passionate about hockey and was instrumental in getting it started out in the Spruce View/Dickson area. He spent many years coaching and dedicated a lot of time to getting the new Dickson arena up and running.
Over the years, Dean and Janet created so many happy memories with family and friends, travelling to other countries, camping in the clearing at Finkel’s Grove, fishing trips to British Columbia and Saskatchewan, countless birthdays, holidays, family reunions, and so many other celebrations. Ultimately, he was a man of God and loved the Lord and chose to consciously operate in the gifts God gave him. He wasn’t perfect but he was always in a state of trying to improve himself, to be a better father, uncle, grandpa, friend, and mentor. We will miss him terribly.
Dean is lovingly remembered by his wife Janet, of almost 58 years, his daughter, Jodi and his son Kelly (Amanda), his four granddaughters, Ashley, Kayla, Jenna (Gabriel) and Shelby and by his sister Fran McArthur (Dean).
He was predeceased by his father Benjamin Doll, his second father, Philip Heare, his brother, Ryan Heare, his mother, Isabel Heare, his nephew, Trevor Brown and his son in law, John Godkin.
A Celebration of Dean’s Life will be held at the Spruce View Community Hall, Spruce View, Alberta on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. If you are unable to attend, the Celebration of Life will be livestreamed and may be viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com.
If desired, Memorial Donations in Dean’s honor may be made directly to S.T.A.R.S Air Ambulance at STARS Foundation 570, 1441 Aviation Park NE, Calgary, Alberta, T2E 9Z9 or to a Charity of the Donor’s choice. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com. Arrangements in care of Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., 4415 – 49 Street, Innisfail, Alberta. Phone: 403.227.0006
