Alan "Dean" Preece of Soda Springs, Idaho, passed away peacefully on August 9, 2018, surrounded by his family.

He was the first born to Frank and Pat Preece on September 15, 1953, in Soda Springs, Idaho. He was later joined by brothers Kelly, Neal, Bryan and sisters Patricia and Jean. Growing up he learned the value of hard work and the love of animals. He was educated in Soda Springs and graduated in 1973. He loved rodeo and in high school he rode bulls and roped. After graduation, he joined the Army Reserves and was honorably discharged in 1977. While attending high school, he worked for Walt Blackburn at Walt's Service Station. He was always willing to pitch in when needed and enjoyed helping with the livestock and farming for his friends and mentors George Egley, Ed Duren, Dick Torgesen, Merlin and Danny Wilde. He also worked for Mark III and then Monsanto retiring in 2015 after 36 years of service.

He married Dianne Henton on November 22, 1974, and to this union were born Lisa, Erin and Matthew, the pride and joys of his life. Dean and Dianne were later divorced.

On December 8, 1995, he married Leann Peterson Munson and her children Brandon, Kim, Blake and Bradley.

Throughout his life he enjoyed being out on his horse, working cows, rodeoing and teaching his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews all he could about animals. He enjoyed going on round-ups with his Uncle Tom. He would team rope with his brothers and participated in stock horse races at the county fair with his daughter Erin and his brother Kelly. Dean loved dogs and enjoyed having with them around as much as possible.

As his children were growing up he was involved with 4-H both as a member and a leader. He served on the Idaho Junior Rodeo Association Board of Directors; was the Team Penning Chairman for both the Caribou County Fair and Rodeo and also the Eastern Idaho Fair. He was also involved in all aspects of the horse shows at both events. He was involved with the Bancroft Rodeo and was an outrider for the Rocky Mountain Cutter Association.

Retirement did not slow Dean down. He often joked that he needed to retire to keep up with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren's sports and activities.

He is survived by his wife Leann, his children Lisa (Scott) Rowley, Erin (Anita Putney) Preece, Matthew (Connie) Preece, Brandon (Lynette) Munson, Kim (Justin) Lish, Blake (Heidi) Munson and Bradley (Jessica) Munson; his sister Jean (Kelly) Mace; his brothers Neal and Bryan (Holly) Preece. He is also survived by and was extremely proud to be Grandpa to 19 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He was a loving uncle and will be missed by numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Kelly Preece, one sister and brother in-law, Patricia and Jon Hall, and father in-law, Melvin Petersen.

Funeral services will be held at noon on Tuesday, August 14, 2018, at noon in the LDS Stake Center, 290 South 3rd West, Soda Springs, Idaho, followed by burial services at the Soda Springs Fairview Cemetery. The family will meet with friends at the Stake Center on Tuesday morning from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Burial will be int the Soda Springs Fairview Cemetery.

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