Dean Waldo Meier

Dean Waldo Meier, 78, of Cedar Falls died Monday, October 9, 2023 after a courageous 8 year battle with cancer.  He was born July 27, 1945, in Waverly, Iowa, son of Waldo and Edna (Hesse) Meier.  Dean married Linda Betels on November 20, 1966, in Buffalo Center, Iowa.  Dean graduated from Denver High School (Iowa) in 1963 and continued his studies earning a BA degree in Mathematics from UNI, a MA degree in Mathematics from Ohio State University, a Specialist in Education degree from UNI, and in 1986, a Doctorate in Education from UNI.

Dean was a lifetime educator serving Iowa schools as a high school math teacher, a high school principal, and superintendent.  In 1995 he accepted the position of Chief Administrator of Northern Trails Area Education Agency and in 2003, after the merger, he became the Chief Administrator of AEA 267 (Central Rivers) in Cedar Falls.  Dean also served as an adjunct instructor for UNI and ISU teaching classes in school business management and school finance.  Dean's love of education influenced all three of his children to continue his legacy with careers in education.  His calm and thoughtful manner along with his philosophy of a servant's heart touched many lives throughout his lifetime.

Upon his retirement from the AEA system, he accepted a position at Wartburg College and taught in the math department for eight years.  Dean was active in education on the state level, serving on many state committees.  He was the chair of the Iowa Reading Recovery Council for eight years.  Dean's faith and church were of utmost importance to him, teaching Sunday School classes and serving on many church committees and councils.

He is survived by his wife, Linda; a daughter, Cassandra Miller (Dean) of Johnston; two sons, Robert Meier (Brandi) of St. Ansgar and Thomas Meier (Lorene) of Osage; sixteen grandchildren: Nicholas Miller (Erica), Brandon Miller, Caitlin Miller, Becca Ferrall (Josh), Amanda Pitts (Dillon), Jessica Meier, Elayna Meier, Izzy, Kamen and Pyper Malmin, and Josiah, Bethany, Susanna, Benaiah, Rhema and Zebulun Meier; four great-grandchildren: Aiden and Amelia Ferrall and Camryn and Warren Pitts; and two sisters, Diane Howard (Laverne) of Bella Vista, Arkansas and Ardith Meier (Fred) of Cedar Falls.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Waldo and Edna Meier; his father and mother-in-law, William and Oudie Betels; a brother-in-law, Larry Gray; and sister-in-law, Deanna Swanson.

Dean's Funeral Service will be at 11:00 am on Monday, October 16, 2023, at Nazareth Lutheran Church with Visitation on Sunday from 3-5:00 at Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home.  Private Family burial at a later date at St. John Lutheran Church, Maxfield Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers please consider donations to Cedar Valley Hospice or Love INC (In the Name of Christ).  Condolences may be left at www.DahlFuneralHome.com.