July 1, 1949 - April 8, 2026
Dean Berkenbile, of Hunter OK, passed away on April 8, 2026, at the age of 76. He was born on July 1, 1949, in Enid OK to Delmar & Alta Mae (Morris) Berkenbile. He graduated from Hunter High School in 1966. After attending Oklahoma State University for a couple years, he moved back to help with the family farm. He joined the Oklahoma National Guard where he served from 1970-1975. He moved to Guymon OK where he worked at the Texas County Feedyard. While in Guymon, he met his future bride, Karen Hill. They were united in marriage on February 19, 1972 at Oslo Lutheran Church in Gruver, Texas. They lived in the Garber and Hunter area where he continued to farm with his dad and later with his brother, Chuck. Dean and Karen worked together in various capacities whether it be on the farm or at Enid Travel. He also worked various jobs during the winters including Pillsbury, Ditch Witch, & Enid Sale Barn. He was a member of the Hunter Christian Church and the Hunter Volunteer Fire Department. He loved spending time going to team ropings around the area where he won multiple championships. He also helped orchestrate the various roping, team penning, and ranch rodeo events for the Hunter Fire Department. Dean spent several winters running the Circle C Arena in Ponca City where they had team roping schools, team roping events & even rodeos. Along the way he made many friends that he still talked about many years later. If you knew Dean, you also knew how long it would take him to tell some of those stories. And he loved telling stories. He devoted his life to farming and ranching, cattle and horses, friends and his family.
Dean is survived by his wife of 54 years, Karen, and children Laura (Mike) Mittasch, Dusty (Rhonda) Berkenbile, and Kelsey Berkenbile. He was Grandad to ten grandchildren Daevry, Bryce (Madi), Ryley, Jasmyn, Adler, Kelcie, Devyn, DJ, Dutton, and Travis and he was great grandad to Jagger and Aurora. He is also survived by sisters Joyce (Merle) Young, Patricia (Walter) Jenkins, brother-in-law Gary Mills, Jaquita (Jerry) Icenhower and brother Chuck (Trish) Berkenbile. Dean is also survived by sisters-in-law Sandi Mulder, Mary Ann Shaddy & Marcia Brown along with brother-in-law James (Jimmy) Hill Jr. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Lucretia, mother-in-law, Raevella Larson Hill Pyle, fathers-in-law, James Lenard Hill & Joe Pyle, and brothers-in-law, Tony Shaddy and Don Mulder. Dean is also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family members.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Hunter Christian Church on April 13, 2026, at 2pm, with cousin Jimmy Berkenbile officiating. Burial will follow in Enid at Memorial Park Cemetery with arrangements by Anderson-Burris Funeral Home. Visitation with the family will be Saturday, April 11, 2pm-3pm, at the funeral home.
Condolences can be made to the family online at Andersonburris.com. Honored to be recognized nationally, the past 6 years, for the Pursuit of Excellence award. Because family matters, let us take care of yours. We are proud to own the only crematory in Garfield county and ensure your loved one receives the care and respect they deserve while never leaving our care. Visit 3002 N. Van Buren, Enid, OK 73703. Call: (580) 233-2700.
