Jane Julian Linder-Dean

Jane Julian Linder Dean, 94, of Gatlinburg went to her Heavenly home Monday, April 4, 2016. She was born in Shenandoah, Iowa. Jane has always immersed herself in organizations and kept a rapid paced lifestyle filled with family, friends, music, church, love, kindness and humor.

She moved from Iowa to Rockford, IL at an early age and graduated from Rockford High School. Jane met her husband, Ray, in the Blackhawk Trails Club. She played cello in the Rockford Symphony Orchestra. Jane was employed in an administrative office at the Board of Education in Rockford, IL for 21 years, then she worked as a bookkeeper at Auburn High School for five years. She was also the busar for ten years at Rock Valley Community College. After living in Rockford with her husband, Ray, for 27 years they decided to move to Gatlinburg and she was the Secretary Treasurer at Cobbly Nob Property Owner's Association. Jane was President of the Gatlinburg Garden Club from 1977 to 1979 and a Sunday School Teacher and Organist at Webb's Creek United Methodist Church for nearly a decade. She served as Chairman for the Wildflower Pilgrimage for 15 years and was Treasurer of Webb's Creek United Methodist Church for around 30 years. She was also in a quilting club at the First Baptist Church and the Retired Citizens of the Smokies. Jane thrived in the company of others. She was a woman of many talents and an inspiration to many. Her amazing spirit touched the lives of so many people around her, and she truly made a difference in the world.

Jane always expressed interest in family activities and was very supportive of each one's endeavors. She and Ray were influential in helping their nephews continue their education. Though many miles separated them, Jane remained close to her family through phone calls, birthday, and holiday visits. The absence of her involvement in their family life will surely be felt.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Alida Linder; husband of 49 and a half years, Ray Dean; brothers, Adolf Linder and Mahlon Linder; and sister, Mildred Linder. Jane is survived by her niece, Carol Billstrand and husband, Scott; nephews, Ronald Gantz and wife, Evelyn; Dennis Gantz and wife, Pam; and great-niece Jennifer Myers (Adam) and great-nephews; Jeff Gantz (Kim) and son, Nathan; Bryan Gantz (Lianna) and son, Cody. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Webb's Creek United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 98, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, the Boys and Girls Club of Gatlinburg or to a charity of your choice.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 PM Friday, April 8th with the funeral service to follow at 4 PM in the East Chapel of Atchley Funeral Home, Sevierville with Rev. Robert Sutton officiating. A private interment service will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Rockford, IL. Online condolences may be made at www.atchleyfuneralhome.com Read Jane Julian Dean's Obituary and Guestbook on atchleyfuneralhome.com.