W. Dean Pritzkau age 79 of Belle Fourche, died Sunday March 26th, 2006 at the Hospice Center in the Fort Meade Medical Center in Sturgis.

The funeral service will be held 10:30 A.M. Friday at the Christian Life Center in Belle Fourche, with Pastor Paul Howard officiating. Visitation will be held 4 to 7 P.M. Thursday at Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche, and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be held 1 PM Friday at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis with Military Honors provided by the Belle Fourche Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Senior Citizens Center in Belle Fourche.

Wilbur Dean Pritzkau was born April 18, 1926 in Dupree South Dakota. He was the son of Robert and Mildred (Cutter) Pritzkau. At a young age, Dean moved with his family to the Fruitdale area where he attended grade school. In 1944 he graduated from the Belle Fourche High School. In 1945 Dean served his country in the U.S. Army but due to poor health was only able to serve a short time. He was honorably discharged in the same year. In 1950 Dean graduated from the University of South Dakota where he received a degree in accounting.

On November 29th, 1958 Dean was married to Evelyn Britton. Following their marriage he worked as an Auditor for the SD Unemployment Agency. Dean and Evelyn lived in Belle Fourche for several years, where Dean worked in the office of American Colloid. He also managed the Moose Club and was treasurer for the Senior Citizens for several years. Evelyn died in 1992.

Dean was the grandson of Russian – German Immigrants. He was a dedicated husband, and his family was always an important thing to him. In his younger years, Dean enjoyed fishing and would often be seen with his fishing rod and tackle box in the back of his pick up. He also enjoyed history, and was a noted Civil War history buff. He will be greatly missed by his family.

Dean is survived by his sisters, Dora Jean (Herman) Denke of Dearbrook Wisconsin, Alyce M. (Jack) Voyles of Belle Fourche; 2 step-children, Eugene M. Britton of Rapid City, Patricia Libby of New Albany Indiana; sister-in-law, Betty Pritzkau of Glenwood Springs Colorado; and numerous step-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; and brother, Marvin.