In Memory of Dean O'Tool

Dean O’Tool, age 73, of Ida Grove, Iowa, passed away, Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at the Horn Memorial Hospital of Ida Grove, Iowa. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. Father William A. McCarthy will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery of Ida Grove, Iowa.

A Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., with a Rosary at 3:30 p.m., Monday, January 12, 2026, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Ida Grove, Iowa.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements.  Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Dean Peter O’Tool, was born on October 13, 1952, in Carroll, Iowa, to Ivan and Bernice (Forke) O’Tool. He was raised in Ida Grove, Iowa and attended the Ida Grove Schools graduating with the class of 1970. As a young boy, Dean had a paper route delivering newspapers to residents throughout Ida Grove. During his teenage years, he worked as a serviceman at Herman’s Mobile.

After graduating from high school, Dean began his career as a mechanic at McCormick Motors, where he remained for nearly 30 years. In October 1973, he was united in marriage to Jane Banowetz at the St. Joseph Catholic Church-Sugar Creek in Preston, Iowa. The couple made their home in Ida Grove and raised their two sons, Jeff and Brian. In 1999, Dean joined GOMACO as a parts representative and later retired in 2019. Following his retirement, he continued working with GOMACO as an on-demand driver.

Dean served as a volunteer firefighter for 20 years and took great pride in helping anyone in need. In his free time, he loved fixing just about anything, viewing each project as a new challenge. Dean also enjoyed boating and spending time visiting friends at the cabin in Lake View, Iowa. One of his greatest accomplishments was building a new cabin in 1997, largely through his own hard work. A devoted NASCAR fan, Dean attended many races in person, with Las Vegas and Kansas City among his favorite tracks. One unforgettable highlight was having the opportunity to drive a race car at Newton Speedway. 

Dean is survived by his wife Jane O’Tool of Ida Grove, IA; sons Jeffrey O’Tool of Sioux City, IA and Brian (Amanda) O’Tool of Boone, IA; grandchildren John O’Tool, Kate O’Tool, and Mia Weigel; sister Janice (Don) Wohlert of Bronson, IA; and Mark (Linda) O’Tool of Odebolt, IA; brother-in-law Glen (Pam) Banowetz of Charlotte, IA; sisters-in-law Betty Burken of Clinton, IA and Marlene (David) Cain of Dixon, IL; nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Ivan and Bernice O’Tool; son Peter Dean O’Tool (at birth); niece Gail D’Auguste; and brothers-in-law Dale Banowetz and Loran Burken.