Dean Whitebreast

TAMA-Dean Ira Whitebreast, “Te ba di ta”, 86, of Tama, passed away Sunday, April 14, 2024 at Premier Estates of Toledo under the care of Iowa River Hospice. A Traditional Wake will be held Sunday Evening, April 14, 2024 at the Eagle Clan Ceremonial Building on the Meskwaki Settlement in rural Tama. Traditional Graveside Services will be held Monday, April 15, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Morgan Cemetery on the Meskwaki Settlement in rural Tama.

Dean was born on November 15, 1937, in Marshalltown, Iowa, the son of Burpee Whitebreast and Helen Waseskuk Pritchett.

He attended schools in the Waterloo School Districts.

Dean served his country in the U.S Marine Corps from 1957-1960.

In 1997, he married Hattie Roubidoux in Tama, Iowa. Dean worked in the foundry at the Waterloo John Deere plant, retiring after thirty years. He was a member of the American Legion Robert Morgan Post 701. He enjoyed going to pow wows across the United States, supporting the Oklahoma Sooners, watching westerns, and following Damon in his sporting activities. In Dean’s younger years, he enjoyed fast pitch softball and in 2012, he was inducted into the Men’s Fast Pitch Hall of Fame. His joy was taking his dogs, Tiger and Nova, for rides.

Survivors include his wife, Hattie Whitebreast of Tama; sons, Damon Whitebreast of Tama and Arlan (Crystal) Whitebreast of Tama; numerous grandchildren; close family members, Jason (Jennifer) Davenport of Tama, Melanie (Chris Knouse) Davenport of Toledo; brothers-in-law, Charlie (Kathy) Shuckahosee of Toledo and Raymond (Daria) Slick of Tama; sister-in-law, Mary Shuckahosee of Tama; and his dogs, Tiger and Nova.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his daughters, Dena and Danette Whitebreast; son, Ira Whitebreast; brother, Andrew Roberts; and adopted brother, Chester Davenport.

Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home, Tama-Toledo is assisting the family with the arrangements.