Dean A. Walden (70) of Effingham

Dean A. Walden, 70, of Effingham, IL, passed away on Sunday, April 21, 2024 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, IL.

An Elks memorial service will be held at 12:00 noon, immediately followed by a Celebration of Life on Friday, May 3, 2024 at St. Paul Lutheran Church ELCA, 2293 East US HWY 40, Altamont, IL 62411. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Friday May 3, 2024 prior to the services at the church. The family is encouraging guests to wear their Green Bay Packers or any Wisconsin-based team apparel. Services are in the care of Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham. In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials may be made to the Carle Auxiliary Guest House. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here.

Dean was born on October 25, 1953, in Monroe, WI, the son of Vernus and Bernadine (Zwergel) Walden. He grew up in Blanchardville, WI on a dairy farm. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and also served 8 years in the Army Reserves. Dean married JoAnn Roy on September 15, 1973, and to this union were born 2 daughters, Michelle and Tanya. He later married Ruth Reid on March 7, 2009. He was the manager at Spurgeon’s Department Store, which took him to Iowa and Illinois, where he eventually settled in Fairfield, IL. He later sold for ICON, which brought him to Effingham. In Effingham, Dean sold insurance, worked as the H.R. Director at Innovative Staff Solutions, and drove a taxi. Dean was very active in the Effingham Elks Lodge #1016. He previously served as Exalted Ruler and District Deputy. He loved watching his grandkids in their sporting events and even coached his daughters into pitching in college softball. Dean always put family first. He was a caring and loving husband and a proud father and grandfather.

Dean is survived by his wife, Ruth Walden of Effingham; children, Michelle Camp of Clinton, IN, Tanya (Richard) Harvey of Fairfield, IL, Dwight Grames of Effingham, Forest Grames of Effingham, and Pauline Shirley (Chris Tiffany) of Beecher City; grandchildren, Brice, Kyle, Sean, Andi, Quade, Noah, Elaina, Peyton, Constance, Alex, Evelyn, Oscar, and Marelynn Jo; great-granddaughters, Charlotte, Delilah, Kendra, Wrenleigh, and Kollins; and siblings, Gary (Nancy) Walden of Waunakee, WI, and Debra (Jim) Severson of Blanchardville, WI.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Steve (Mary Ellen) Walden.