Dean F. Wagenbach
Published 12:35 pm Thursday, January 9, 2025
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FRANKLIN – Dean Franklin Wagenbach, 88, of Franklin and Como, North Carolina, died Jan. 7 after a brief illness. Born in Barron, Wisconsin, he was the son of the late Martin Otto and Nellie McFarlane Wagenbach. Dean was the third of four sons and the young family relocated to Franklin when Martin was tapped to build a dairy barn in Virginia.
Dean graduated from Franklin High School
Dean F. Wagenbach
Best Looking honors and an insatiable zest for life. He joined the U.S. Army and spent his early twenties stationed in Ankara, Turkey where he proudly served his country and infiltrated Embassy parties as an invited guest. He spent his post military service years socializing with high society and famous authors in New York City before returning to the South and purchasing Cedar Hill Farm in Como, North Carolina.
A man of many talents and legendary stories, Dean was a skilled carpenter, North Carolina farmer, Chowan Milling Company salesman, collector of yard sale oddities, Shag Club dancer, successful game hunter, N.C. chapter Pheasant Plucker and a right good fisherman who took the location of his secret fishing holes to the grave. A true Virginia gentleman and blue-eyed charmer, Dean enjoyed the great outdoors, restoring historical homes and scouring fields for Native American artifacts. But his dearest loves were the people of Franklin and his daughter Lisa, who he shamelessly carried on about to anyone who would listen.
Dean is survived by his daughter, Lisa Ann Wagenbach and ex-wife Beverly Wagenbach, both of Massachusetts, sister-in-law Paula Mercier Wagenbach, her children Louise Ann Wagenbach and Joseph Martin Wagenbach and Joseph’s son Sean Michael, all of Warren, Rhode Island. He was preceded in death by longtime partner Betty Moore, his three brothers James Martin, Richard Charles, Garold Arvid, and nephew Michael James Wagenbach. Please join the family for visitation from 4 – 6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 11 at Wright Funeral Home in Franklin. Services will take place at 2 p.m. on Jan. 12 at High Street United Methodist Church in Courtland. Dean will be laid to rest wearing his favorite ‘chick magnet’ socks and fashionable Crocs at Poplar Spring Cemetery immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider carrying on Deano’s legacy by supporting the local Franklin community, which includes dining at Fred’s and bringing server Krystal candy, delivering coffee to Natalie at Mabel’s Barber Shop, joining the Franklin Shag Club because Helen needs a new dance partner and making a donation to Southampton Agriculture and Forestry Museum in Courtland, Virginia.