Dean Wisthoff

Dean C. Wisthoff, 92, died peacefully at his Appleton home on Dec. 3, 2025, lovingly supported by his son Dana and daughter Dawn. He was born in Neenah on March 6, 1933.

Dean graduated from Neenah High School in 1951, where he lettered in many sports as an outstanding athlete. He was the captain of the basketball team and active in the Boys’ Brigade, where he attended Camp Onaway, first as a camper and later as a chore boy. In his senior year, he was selected as the Outstanding Brigader of the Year, earning a trip to the American Youth Foundation’s Camp Miniwanca in Michigan, for leadership training.

After graduation, he served as a U.S. Mail carrier until enlisting in the U.S. Army.  His Army career included his role as observer and recorder in “Operation Knothole,” which included atomic bomb testing. Returning to Neenah on leave, he married Mona Lauritzen on Sept. 12, 1953.

For the next three years, Dean served with the Army’s 959th Petroleum Laboratory in Charleston, North Carolina, where he and Mona began their married life. Following his military service, Dean attended Bryan College in Dayton, Tennessee, for a year. He later graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh with a Bachelor of Science in 1960, followed by a Master of Science earned while he taught chemistry, biology and general science at Neenah High School. Prior to teaching in Neenah, Dean also taught high school in Dowagiac, Michigan, where son Dana was born in 1961, and Pulaski, Wisconsin, when daughter Dawn arrived in 1963.

Dean was a member of the school district’s Quarter Century Club, National Education Association, Wisconsin Education Association, Wisconsin Woodlands Owners Association–Central Sands Chapter, and the Consolidated Tree Farm Association.

Dean was actively involved at Calvary Bible Church, serving at various times as Chairman of the Board, Christian Education Director, Deacon and Sunday School teacher. He served on many committees and started the church tape ministry. His passions included flower gardening at home in Neenah and working on his woodland property near Adams-Friendship, where he planted thousands of trees. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and sharing those experiences with friends.

He and Mona traveled to  Europe, Hawaii, Mexico, Bahamas, Bermuda, and many corners of the United States. To celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in 2003, they treated Dana, Dawn and their spouses to an Alaskan cruise. They celebrated their 60th anniversary in Door County and observed their 70th in 2023 in Appleton.

Dean was preceded in death by his beloved wife Mona, parents Fern (Tackman) and Wesley Wisthoff, and brother David Wisthoff. He is survived by son Dana (Elisabeth) Wisthoff of Phoenix, Arizona; daughter Dawn (Tim) Northway of Larsen, Wisconsin; granddaughter Nicole (Branden DuPont) Northway of Brooklyn, New York, grandson Cody (Taylor) Northway of Brillion, Wisconsin, Victoria (Andrew Johnson) Wisthoff of Phoenix, Arizona; Alexander Wisthoff (Morgan) of Oceanside, California; niece Ruth and nephews David, Stephen, Jonathon; and many cousins and other family members.

Faithful, generous and always ready with a gentle smile, Dean will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 2 pm, at Westgor Funeral Home, 205 W. Doty Ave. in Neenah, with visitation at 1 pm until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to Calvary Bible Church, 1450 Oakridge Rd, Neenah, WI 54956.