Dean Molln

Roland “Dean” Molln, local farmer, business man, friend, and community supporter departed from our world on November 12, 2022 at the age of 94.

Many knew Dean as half of the team that created and built BB&P Feed and Grain which opened to business in 1978. Others knew him as that mischievous, laughing, stubborn, story-telling Democrat who grabbed life with both hands and squeezed as much joy from it as he possibly could. Dean was an integral part of BB&P long into his 90s.

Many high schoolers knew Dean as that farmer who gave them their first job—making hay, feeding hogs, sorting cattle and so much more. Their boss worked right alongside them, offering banter, telling stories, listening to their struggles, teasing them about their girlfriends and encouraging them to go to college. He showed them the best of the working world, which on some occasions might even include a water fight at the end of the day.

Others knew him as the farmer who took up flying, who helped develop a flying club and who lobbied hard for the Winterset Municipal Airport. Dean lifted his vision for the community and offered his sweat to make it happen.

When BB&P came into being, Dean was the guy who welcomed the children into the business by taking them to the pop machine and letting them pick out whatever bottle of soda they wanted. How delighted he was to drop the quarters into the machine and see the bright, happy faces of his youngest customers!

His Legion friends knew Dean as the Korean War Veteran who had some remarkable stories of carrying the radio at the front lines of that deadly conflict. He would say that he saw things he never wanted to see, but the experience left upon his heart a deep and abiding love for his country.

His morning coffee group knew him as the token Democrat who wasn’t hesitant to voice his opinions, but who could do it with a smile and a maybe a bet thrown in. They would testify to his delight in the stories told and certain teasing or pranks he pulled. (Ask the ladies about what they found under their table one day!)

But there are countless others who didn’t even know his name. They could tell you about the tall guy with the infectious smile who stood behind them in a line or waited in a doctor’s office. He’d struck up a conversation with them, sharing stories that forged a connection that might be temporary, but which blessed his life, and hopefully theirs, as well.

Dean was all of these things, but most importantly his family could tell you about his love for them, his children, step children and their offspring. They can offer more stories than the reader has time to hear about his generosity, fun-loving orneriness, his encouragement that they live with integrity in a way that blesses the world around us. Dean showed them what love looks like as he devoted himself to his two wives (both named Betty!) with whom he shared so much. How he cared for them as they struggled through cancer that would steal them away. When they passed from this world, they took big pieces of his heart with them.

Celebrating all he taught us about life and love are his children, Joycelyn (Don) Chamberlin, Davenport IA; Larry (Shelley) Molln, Winterset; Randy (Beth) Molln, Clive; stepchildren, Steve (Kathy) Brown, Pontoon Beach, IL; Robert (Gloria) Brown, Ballwin, MO; Miranda (John) Litzsinger, Republic, MO; Deborah Broeker, Winterset; a brother, Dale (Doris) Molln, Greenfield, as well as the myriad of grandchildren and great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.