Dean Gordon Packard

REEDSBURG – Dean Gordon Packard went home to his Savior on September 13, 2026. He was born on July 21, 1948, in Poynette, Wisconsin to Gordon Packard and Virginia (Harland) Packard. He is survived by his wife, Linda Christianson Packard; his son, Mark, and wife, Emily Hefko, Pardeeville, Wisconsin; his daughter, Charissa Love, Savannah, Georgia; stepson, Paul Christianson, and wife, Katherine Diaz, Arena of Bucaramanga, Columbia; stepson, Aaron Christianson, and wife Galina (née Hautzel) of Frankfurt, Germany; grandsons, David, Gabriel, Daniel, and Matthew Love; grandchildren, Katya, Kasenia and Aleksey Tretick; and granddaughters, Stormy (& Jackson) Aletha and Juniper Hefko; and a great granddaughter Kestrel. He is also survived by his sister, Linda (& Jim) Koch; his brother, George (& Elise) Packard; and several nephews and nieces, all of whom he held very dear.

Dean graduated from Portage High School, in 1965, and from University of Wisconsin, in 1969, with a degree in chemical engineering. His 33-year career was with the DNR air program, as an air pollution engineer, and many years as a supervisor.

Dean was a “gentle giant” who was very wise, kind, so thoughtful, and never given to unnecessary words. When he spoke, people listened. He was happy to help anyone that he could, especially with fixing and repairing just about anything.

In the late 1960’s, he put himself through college, in part, by playing rhythm guitar in bands. He went on to learn to play bass guitar and drums. Over the years, even up until the time of his death, he taught many adults and young people to play guitar, bass, or drums, never charging anyone.

Dean had a deep faith in God and in the Bible. He grew up attending Inch Methodist Church, in Poynette, where he committed his life to serving Christ. He later attended the Portage Assembly of God for many years. This is where he began playing drums and sometimes guitar on the worship team. At the time of his death, he had been attending Living Hope Church, Baraboo, for 17 years. It was there that he and his wife, Linda, served on the Elder Board and also where he played guitar, bass, and occasionally drums on the church worship team. He practiced many hours because he loved serving the Lord in this way and wanted to give Him his best.

Dean married his second wife, Judy Mastopietro, in May, 1987. She preceded him in death in October of 2000, after 13 years of marriage. He later married Linda Christianson, who was also widowed. They were married for 24 years and had a fulfilling, loving, trusting marriage.

Dean especially enjoyed woodworking, golf, repairing guitars, and figuring out how to fix things. He even built the lovely home in which he raised his two children. He enjoyed watching football, basketball, and golf tournaments. He was known (and sometimes teased) for his unusual amount of research before most any purchase and also research of anything in which he was interested. And he enjoyed playing with the
family golden doodle, Ginger.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gordon and Virginia Packard; his wife, Judy Packard; and his stepdaughter, Krista Weiss Tretick.

We celebrate that he is in the arms of Jesus, freed of suffering but he will be deeply, deeply missed.

Funeral Services will be at Living Hope Church, S3963 County Hwy BD, Baraboo, WI 53913, on Friday, Sept. 18, at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor David Bauman officiating. Inurnment will be at the Inch Cemetery, Dekorra Township, at a later date. Visitation will be at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Living Hope Church, S3963 County Hwy BD, Baraboo, WI 53913 in Dean’s name.

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