Dean Erb

Dean Paul Erb (March 16, 1940 – January 8, 2026) left this world while surrounded by deeply grateful and loving family members in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Born in Des Moines and raised in Earlham, Iowa, Dean attended Earlham School, followed by the University of Iowa where he attained two degrees (BBA and JD). Dean married Shirley Ann Bouten in February of 1964 in Iowa City, and after graduating law school in 1965, moved to Gowrie, Iowa to work at the Johnson Law Firm of Fort Dodge. Dean and Shirley raised four boys in Gowrie.

In the early 1980s, Dean achieved sobriety and became a lifelong advocate for others in recovery including through the Iowa Bar Association’s support program for attorneys navigating addiction. Dean was known for his longtime personalized license plate message, an AA slogan - “KISS” – keep it simple stupid! It was through recovery that Dean met and married Keya Brighi in 1989, subsequently enjoying 36 years of inspired adventures together.

Dean was preceded in taking flight by his father, Ralph Herbert Erb, mother Hazel Lucille Fleming Erb, stepmother Mary Erb, and sister Margaret Erb Zampa. Dean’s legacy lives on through his beloved wife Keya Erb Brighi of Grand Rapids, Minnesota; ex-wife Shirley Erb of Grand Rapids, Minnesota; 4 children and spouses (Mike & Colleen Erb of Cumberland, Wisconsin; John & Melissa Erb of Grand Rapids, Minnesota; Jeff Erb of New Richmond, Wisconsin; Matthew Erb & Noshene Ranjbar of Tucson, Arizona); 7 grandchildren and spouses/partners (Conor & Dani Erb of Cumberland, Wisconsin; Myles & Tiffany Erb of Bismarck, North Dakota; Aidan & Kenna Warner of McCarthy, Alaska; Brittany & Anthony Westbrook of Fate, Texas; Spencer Erb & Angie Mengelkoch of Coon Rapids, Minnesota; Sheyanne Erb & Tyler Arend of Rochester, Minnesota; & Cole Erb of St. Louis Park, Minnesota); and 13 great grandchildren (Ava, Beckham, Aspen, Khloe, Brooklyn, Mikenna, Lincoln, Crew, Avonlea, Ridge, Selah, Riley, & Henley).

While at the University of Iowa in the 1960’s, Dean was active in the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. He also joined the United States Army as a Reserve Commissioned Officer, grade of Second Lieutenant, from 1962-1965, with a goal of joining the Judge Advocate General. When nearing completion of Law School, upon application to join JAG, the Surgeon General honorably discharged him due to a medical issue, a disappointing but fateful determination that ultimately led him to the Johnson Law Firm in Fort Dodge. While his time in service was limited, he was always taking time to connect with and honor Veterans from all branches of service.

Dean’s life was marked by tireless giving and in the humblest of ways. From serving as a mentor and sponsor for countless persons in Alcoholics Anonymous, to serving two terms as Mayor of Gowrie, to fundraising for community initiatives at Pine Ridge, South Dakota in collaboration with his culturally adopted Lakota family, to supporting many persons and families in need, Dean facilitated healing in countless ways. He enjoyed breaks from his professional and volunteer work by taking fishing trips to Canada, hunting trips with his sons and grandsons, and “occasional” visits to ice cream shops.

The family wishes to thank the caring staff of River Grand Senior Living and St. Croix Hospice in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, for their compassionate care in his final days, as well as the endless parade of friends, colleagues, and connections that he made in his nearly 86 years of life.

In lieu of gifts or flowers, memorials can be made to either 1) EARTH: Empowering All Relatives To Heal (www.earthrelatives.org, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that his daughter-in-law and son (Noshene and Matt) co-founded; 2) by adopting a dog or making a donation to his grandson and wife’s (Aidan and Kenna) Alaskan dog-sledding business (Waylon’s Dog Sledding, https://www.waylonswaydogsledding.com/why-sponsor-1); or 3) making a donation to a 12-step recovery program.

A celebration of Dean’s life will be held at 1:00 PM Friday May 15, 2026, (PLEASE NOTE THE DATE) with Military Rites by American Legion Peterson Post #431, Gowrie following at Laufersweiler Palmer & Sons Funeral Home, Gowrie. There will be a vistation at Noon at the funeral home, with a luncheon following the service at Zion Lutheran Church, Gowrie. If you do not receive local Gowrie announcements and wish to be notified of the full details closer to the date, you can request to receive an email by going to this link and entering your information: https://tinyurl.com/mrxmnjuh

With Dean’s lifelong connection to Indigenous communities, we wish to close this short and inadequate summary of an amazing life, with a Lakota phrase, Mitákuye Oyás'iŋ, reminding us that we are all relatives. Dean is already at work on the other side bringing people together and finding the middle and common ground in all things. We love you Dean!