Deane Melvin Antoine

Deane Melvin Antoine passed away June 4, 2021, at Living Meadows in Madelia, just 14 days before his 87th birthday. Deane was born June 17, 1934, in Mitchell, South Dakota to Albert and Hazel Antoine. He joined a brother Bertie, at the family farm near Egan. Deane attended grade school in Egan, and high school in Flandreau. He was active in football, basketball and baseball, and was the state FFA president during his senior year. After graduation in 1952, he attended SDSU in Brookings where he was a member of the basketball and baseball teams. He graduated in 1956 with a Vocational Agriculture degree and married Carolyn MacNeill on November 23, 1956. He taught at Egan, Rutland and Pipestone from 1956-1965. During this time, he received his master's degree at SDSU and specialist degree at Mankato State University. He was superintendent of schools at Baltic, SD from 1965-1968, Dell Rapids, SD from 1968-1974, and Madelia, MN from 1974-1990. Deane served on the High School Activity boards in both SD and MN. He was a member of the Methodist Church and an active member of Rotary, a four-time recipient of the Paul Harris Award. He was the 1974 president of the SDSU alumni board, and a member of MASA, AASA, Madelia Chamber of Commerce, Madelia Food Shelf volunteer, and other regional and district boards. Deane served in the National Guards from 1956-1962. Deane enjoyed bird feeding, was a sports and hunting enthusiast, but most of all he loved spending time with his family and grandchildren. He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Carolyn, and children Greg (Barb), Luverne, MN; Jody (George) Cunningham, Madelia, MN; Pam (Tracy) Baack, Mesa, AZ; Doug (Nancy), Northfield, MN; 10 grandchildren, and 27 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, son-in-law, Tracy Baack, brother Bertie, great-grand son Rylan Miller. A celebration of life will be held at the Methodist Church in Madelia, MN on Saturday, June 19th at 3:00 p.m. with visitation two hours prior to the service. Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home, Pilgrim Chapel in Madelia. Memorials will be directed to the Methodist Church, Madelia Hospital Foundation, and Dollars for Scholars. Visitation 1 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Saturday, June 19, 2021 United Methodist Church, Madelia 106 Center Ave. N Madelia, MN, Minnesota, United States 56062 Service Information 3:00 pm Saturday, June 19, 2021 United Methodist Church, Madelia 106 Center Ave. N Madelia, MN, Minnesota, United States 56062 Private Interment