DEAN ZEVENBERGEN Obituary (2022) – Everett, WA

Born to John and Mary Ann Zevenbergen in Everett WA. He grew up in a close-knit, loving family and graduated from Everett High School in 1971. After a valiant nearly five-year struggle with cancer, he passed peacefully at Providence Medical Center with family by his side.

As a teenager, Dean enjoyed several fast Ford’s and one fast Chevy. Cruising Colby and looking for a street race was not uncommon. How ironic he passed on the day the Cruising to Colby event was taking place in Everett.

Dean played and coached fastpitch softball taking his team to the national championship playoffs. He also coached Little League Baseball taking the team to league champions and on to All-Stars. He loved the outdoors especially hunting and fishing with friends and family. He made sure his grandkids and their friends had many fun outdoor activities during their growing up years.

Dean was known as a bright, calm, happy, compassionate, and caring man. Dean, his grandkids, and their friends would make special trips through Marysville from time to time to assist homeless people with money, food, and a caring thought. Dean was a mentor to and advocate for youth. He made a significant impact on many kids lives who were struggling and/or going down a bad path. Many of those young people stayed in contact with Dean throughout his life.

Although not related by blood, Dean had a very strong love for his adoptive family, Aaron and Gina Janisko and their children Katelynn and Hunter. They were a central part of his life, and he cherished every moment he had with them. A conversation never took place without Dean discussing his grandkids and/or their parents. As a lover of sports, he enjoyed watching his two grandkids who played a sport every season of the year from kindergarten until the end of high school. There weren’t many games that Dean missed for either of them. His grandkids said It was always the best feeling to look up and see him in his chair or his truck during their games. From picking them up from school most days, playing a part in the family’s joy of horses, or driving the kids to their favorite activities; in Dean’s words, he spoiled Katelynn and Hunter Rotten, and we all know he wanted it no other way.

Dean was quick to admit he was opinionated. He shared his opinion with others and did so on many occasions by writing to the Everett Herald’s Readers Opinion page. Several of his letters were published. He followed politics closely writing to our state and federal legislators making recommendations or comments as he deemed appropriate. An often-heard comment was “if you can’t change what was, it’s smarter to build on what is”. Dean loved a good debate and based his arguments on facts, not conspiracies.

Highlights of Dean’s 50 plus years in the workforce included Safety Coordinator at Kimberly Clark and Operations Manager at Hogland’s Transfer from which he retired. He also served on the Mill Town Credit Union Board of Directors, where he was also a past president.

Dean was predeceased by his parents and brothers Dave Zevenbergen, John, and James Winsor.

Dean leaves his cherished family – Aaron and Gina Janisko, grandchildren Katelynn, and Hunter, (along with their 3 loyal dogs) with whom he lived with during his final months of fighting cancer and who cared for him tirelessly with love, understanding and compassion.

Sisters – Helen Hendrickson, Carol Porn (Bill), Dolly Gay (Bob), Brother and sisters in law, Don Zevenbergen (Linda), Lynda Winsor, and Annegret Winsor. He also leaves numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom had a high regard for him.

Dean was very appreciative of the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and the University of Washington doctors who took such good care of him. Dean’s preferred memorial donations would be Seattle Cancer Care Alliance or programs benefiting youth.

A Celebration of Life will be held in July for friends and family.

June 19, 1953 – May 29, 2022

Published by The Herald (Everett) from Jun. 12 to Jun. 13, 2022.

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