Stanley Dean Adsit

Stanley Dean Adsit, age 64, of Maryville, Tennessee, passed away at his home on June 27, 2026, surrounded by the beautiful sounds of music and song performed by his son, Noah, and daughter, Haley. His loving wife, Betty, was by his side.

Dean was born on August 10, 1961, in Richland Center, Wisconsin. He was the second of four children born to Stan and Inez Adsit. Shortly after his birth, the family, along with his sister Connie, moved to the Union Grove area, where Dean remained until he was 17 years old.

While in grade school, Dean met Luke Nelson and his family. They quickly became best friends, and that friendship lasted for the rest of Dean's life. Luke and Dean spent countless hours together, whether at the Adsit home or the Nelson ranch, doing what boys do—riding horses, racing bikes, building things, or simply enjoying each other's company.

Growing up in an active family, Dean loved being the "big brother." He was always helping his siblings with their projects or recruiting them to help with one of his own. That willingness to lend a hand continued throughout his life, whether for family, friends, or complete strangers.

During his teenage years, Dean worked alongside his dad in the family construction painting business, where he became exceptionally skilled. He spent many hours prepping, painting, and repairing snowmobiles, motorcycles, cars, and trucks. Around the age of 14, Dean discovered he had a knack for buying and selling. He was quite the "wheeler dealer." It wasn't uncommon to see interesting sleds, cars, trucks, or motorcycles come and go while growing up around him. He truly could have "sold ice to the Eskimos" if he wanted to. Buying and selling became his lifelong career. Whether he was selling construction equipment, auctioneering, or purchasing heavy equipment, Dean loved making deals. He was fortunate to work for some of the largest auction companies in the country, as well as Caterpillar and John Deere.

In 1984, while living in Boaz, Wisconsin, Dean met the love of his life, Betty Harms, thanks to Rose Franklin. A few months into their courtship, Betty learned through her brother Richard that Arizona was looking for nurses. Betty seized the opportunity, and she and Dean moved there together. Betty worked in the nursing field while Dean began his career in construction equipment sales.

In 1986, they returned to southeastern Wisconsin, living in Racine, Kenosha, Franksville, and the Union Grove area. Dean started Midway Equipment Sales and also helped with the family business, Rocks Unlimited, alongside his sister Connie.

On August 6, 1988, Dean and Betty made it official and were married in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. Dean continued buying and selling equipment while Betty continued her nursing career. Together, they built a life centered around hard work and family. Their weekends often included trips north to Cobb, Dodgeville, and Richland Center to visit loved ones. Throughout adulthood, Dean fulfilled many of his childhood dreams by owning several collector cars, trucks, motorcycles, and snowmobiles. He enjoyed attending car shows, flea markets, snowmobile shows, and racing events. He often took his nephews along for the ride, for them this was a "real education."

While living in Kenosha, Dean and Betty hosted Christmas gatherings, Easter celebrations, and summer cookouts, strengthening their connections with family and friends. Dean loved bringing people together, whether for family events or charitable causes.

In March 1998, Dean became the proud father of a beautiful baby girl, Haley Rose. And then In 2001, Dean and Betty became the proud parents of a baby boy, Noah Dean. As their family grew, they moved just west of Union Grove. Camping, fishing, boating, and trips to Grandma and Grandpa's quickly became family traditions.

The family later moved to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where Dean joined NorTrax (John Deere) as a salesman. His dedication and talent earned him recognition as the company's top nationwide salesman for several years.

As the kids grew older, Dean often surprised them by bringing home guitars, musical instruments, sporting goods, or whatever had captured their interest. He simply wanted them to know he had been thinking about them. During those years in Eau Claire, Dean spent a great deal of time traveling back to southeastern Wisconsin for both work and fun, often attending racing, snowmobile, and motorcycle events with his cousin Tim Castle and good friend Tim Erikson. They all shared a love for power and speed.

Dean was an avid deer hunter. Beginning in his youth, he traveled to Boaz each season and spent more than 35 years hunting with his daughter, son, brothers, nephews, and friends around Rockbridge, Wisconsin. Dean owned just about every deer hunting gadget imaginable, all in pursuit of "the big one." He often recruited his kids, nieces, and nephews to help with deer drives. Of course, Dean was always a "stander" and proudly served as "The General," calling out, "Keep a straight line!"

In 2023, Dean and Betty moved to Maryville, Tennessee, where Dean remained until his passing on June 27, 2026. Dean lived life to the fullest. He loved his family fiercely, worked hard, made lifelong friendships wherever he went, and never lost his sense of adventure. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

"On with the hunt."

May he rest in peace.

Dean is preceded in death by his parents, Stan and Inez Adsit; his in-laws, Marvin and Arlene Harms; his sister-in-law, Carol Harms; his brother-in-law, Richard Harms; and his good friend, Bill Trepstra.

Dean is survived by his wife, Betty (Harms) Adsit; his daughter, Haley; his son, Noah; his sister, Connie (Tim); his brothers, Kent (Christy) and Mike (Terri); his brother-in-law, James Harms; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and countless friends whose lives were made better by knowing him.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Pratt Funeral Home and Cremation Service Community Center, Richland Center Wisconsin from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 18, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Open Heavens Guatemala or Walk With Grace in Dean's memory.