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Douglas W. Dibb Obituary – 6/19/2011


Douglas William Dibb, age 83, of Lester Prairie, died Sunday, June 19, 2011, at the Marie Steiner Kelting Hospice Home in Chaska.

He was born Oct. 27, 1927, in Lester Prairie, the son of Earl and Sylvia (Zebell) Dibb. Douglas was baptized Nov. 13, 1927, by the Rev. Arthur Spleiss; and confirmed in his faith April 6, 1941, by the Rev. E.H. Stahlke, both at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lester Prairie.

Doug received his education in Lester Prairie and was a graduate of the Lester Prairie High School class of 1946.

He entered active military service in the United States Army in September 1946, and was honorably discharged in May 1947.

Doug was united in marriage to Arlene Birkholz Aug. 3, 1947, by the Rev. Streufert at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Lester Prairie. This marriage was blessed with three children, David, Debra, and Dean.

The couple made their home in Lester Prairie. Doug and Arlene shared 61 years of marriage, until Arlene passed away July 1, 2009.

Doug was employed by Schwartz Mfg., as a salesman, until he retired in 1997.

He was a lifelong member of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lester Prairie.

Doug was also a member of the Lester Prairie American Legion Post 463, and a retiree of the Lester Prairie Fire Department.

An avid outdoorsman, Doug loved to fish, hunt duck, turkey and deer, and spend time at the cabin. He was also an outstanding athlete, enjoying many successful seasons with the Lester Prairie baseball town team. He played in a record 10 state tournaments, four with Lester Prairie and six as a draftee for other teams in the Crow River Valley League.

In 2008, Doug was inducted into the Lester Prairie High School Hall of Fame for his athletic achievements.

Doug’s most cherished memories were times spent with family and friends.

He is survived by a son, David Dibb (Nancy) of Watertown; a daughter, Debra Smilanich (Tom) of South St. Paul; grandchildren Corrie Madson and her husband, Mike, Toni Clemens and her husband, Brian, Stefan Smilanich, and Andrea Smilanich; great-grandchildren Michael Kvasnicka, Elizabeth Kvasnicka, Samuel Madson, Katelin Clemens, Annie Clemens, and James Clemens; brothers, Earl Dibb Jr. and his wife, LaJune, of St. Cloud, and Lyle Dibb of Lester Prairie; sister-in-law Shirley Dibb of Lester Prairie; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to his wife, Arlene, Douglas was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Sylvia Dibb; a son, Dean Dibb; and a brother, Wallace Dibb.

The funeral service was Thursday, June 23 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church in Lester Prairie, with interment in the church cemetery.

Visitation was Wednesday, June 22 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the church, and continued Thursday one hour prior to the service.

Arrangements were handled by McBride Funeral Chapel in Lester Prairie.

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