Joseph Dean Gerstner

Joseph Dean Gerstner passed peacefully into the next life and a reunion with loved ones on February 7, 2012. Born in Salt Lake City, November 13, 1922 to Plaseda Lucetta and John Howard Gerstner, Dean spent a lively childhood with family and friends on Cheyenne Street, mastering shooting marbles and splitting tops. He and his brother Marvin loved singing and frequently appeared on local radio shows. At just 12 years old, Dad met and fell in love with his sweetheart, Rose Ann Cannon. Although he went on to become a top salesman, winning Rose Ann's heart was Dad's greatest sales accomplishment. They later wed and spent 68 eventful years together.

Though quite young, Dad felt a desire to help support his family during the hard years of the Depression, spending much of his paper route money on clothing, food and toys for his family. His love of others punctuated his life as he cared for his mother, family and others he encountered. He always reached out to the less fortunate and befriended all he met. Also feeling a responsibility to his country, Dad volunteered for Naval service during WWII. Throughout life, he was a dedicated and outstanding worker, founding several successful businesses and becoming a leader in his field. Business was his talent, and proposing and closing a deal was his passion.

Dad brimmed with life, vigor and vitality. He could often be heard serenading people in supermarket aisles, having long conversations with perfect strangers, cracking witty one-liners and bringing energy and enthusiasm everywhere he went. Even lying in his hospital bed, he spun entertaining stories for the staff.

Dad loves the Lord and has served in various callings in the LDS church throughout his life. He especially loved serving two full-time missions (NY Rochester and Mormon Battalion Visitor Center in San Diego) with his favorite companion, Rose Ann. These experiences helped him understand the eternal nature of man and made his passage into the next life an easy transition.

Dean is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Marvin and John, and sister, Zina Herbert. He is survived by his wife, Rose Ann, sister, Marian Venema, Brother, Phil, his 8 children: Lynda Banks (Michele Accinelli), Jo Anne Jones, Barbara Lemmert (Ralph), Howard (Patricia), Tracy (Denise), Lettie McLaughlin (Stephen), Janet West (John), and Sara Koehler (Lynn), as well as 39 grandchildren and 68 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at noon, Saturday, February 11, at the Forestview Ward, 1111 East Charlton Ave (2818 South), Salt Lake City. A viewing will be held from 10:30 to 11:30 AM prior to the services and from 6:00-8:00 PM Friday evening at Holbrook Mortuary, 3251 South 2300 East, Salt Lake City. Interment at Elysian Burial Gardens.

Messages and tributes for the family can be posted at: www.holbrookmortuary.com