Dean Libbrecht

Dean was born on Wednesday, July 13, 1960 in The Pas MB to Marie and Hubert Libbrecht. Dean grew up in The Pas and in 1978 he met the love of his life Norma Wilkinson and together they shared many adventures such as stock car racing, boating, ski-dooing, and socializing. Together they had three children Jarred, Dylan and Jenna.

Eager to start working as he grew up, Dean got his first job at Grants Grocery in 1976 at 16 years old and then hired on with CN in 1977, starting first in the car department and then transferring to the running trades in 1979. While working for CN, Dean and Norma bought a corner store and opened D&N Corner Stop which they owned and operated until 1991 when their life changed with the birth of their first child Jarred. In 1992 Dean qualified as a Locomotive Engineer, a position in which he was highly respected until his retirement.

Dean and Norma decided to further grow the family and had Dylan and then Jenna.  They stayed in The Pas raising the kids until 1997 when CN sold and they decided to pack up the family and head west to Saskatoon. After a couple of years of living in the city they decided it wasn’t for them and headed out to Asquith in 2000 where Norma could stay home with the kids while Dean continued to work for CN. During the summer holidays, they would pack up the van and always return home to Clearwater Lake. Eventually the van got upgraded to the motorhome which allowed for family camping trips to Banff and Jasper.

Dean enjoyed working for the railroad for 35 years and had many stories to share from over the years.

Following Deans retirement in 2015, he and Norma spent the next 3 years making frequent trips to Clearwater Lake to visit the kids. After Norma’s sudden passing in 2018, Dean decided it was time to pack up and move home to Clearwater Lake.  Dean bought a year-round cottage at Pioneer Bay where he would spend his days outside, always busy and tinkering with something.  Dean would always be out tending to the garden that he built, boating, quading and enjoying the ski-doo trails in the winter with the family dog Auzzie, always by his side no matter what the adventure.

Dean is fondly remembered by all who knew him for his sense of humor, his mischievous antics, his willingness to help anyone, and his strong family bonds.

Dean is lovingly remembered by his children Jarred, Dylan and Jenna; siblings Dennis (Judy), David, Twila (Dale), Marianne (Dale), Alana (Quinton) and his sister-in-law Roxann (Ben) among other extended family, too many to mention.

Dean was pre-deceased by his parents Marie and Hubert Libbrecht; his wife Norma Wilkinson; his mother and father-in-law Mervin and Catherine Wilkinson.

In keeping with family wishes, cremation has taken place and no formal service will be held.

In lieu of flowers, donations The Pas Health Complex Foundation, Inc., Memorial Fund, Cancer Care Division, Box 541, The Pas, Manitoba, R9A 1K6, or to a charity of choice, would be appreciated by Dean’s family.