Dean Russell Hepler

TOMAH -- Dean Russell Hepler, age 64, of Tomah, Wisconsin, passed away June 28, 2023, from injuries received in a car crash on June 7. Dean’s parents were Kathleen (Hibner) Thompson and Russell Dean Hepler.

While walking to work at Close-to-Home Nursing Center on June 7, Dean was hit by a vehicle and thrown eight feet to the pavement, suffering massive brain trauma and other injuries. He was transported by ambulance to Gunderson Medical Center in LaCrosse where he remained in a coma for three weeks.

Dean was a veteran of the United States Air Force, serving as a cook in Korea and North Dakota. Upon honorable discharge he returned to his hometown of Pardeeville, worked at Piggly Wiggly, Penda Corporation, numerous restaurants in Columbia and Dane Counties but eventually settled in Tomah.

Dean was a faithful friend to those who cared for and about him, including fellow veterans and the patients at the nursing home who enjoyed his cooking and the numerous activities he conducted for their enjoyment.

Survivors include his son Brian Hepler; sister Dena (George) Spohn and their children Shaun, George IV, Jennifer and Michael; sister-in-law Kathleen, her daughters Stephanie and Amber and their children; special Veteran friends Kevin Woods and Armond Veazie, numerous relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, and brother Kent.

Special thanks to the Tomah Police Department, the Gunderson Medical Center surgical team, nursing staff and chaplains for their excellent care, and the Tomah and King Veterans Administrations, and Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home of Portage.

A military funeral with full honors will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, August 14 at the Veterans Military Cemetery in King, Wisconsin.

Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.