At two years old, Newburg farmer Dean Stortz knew what he wanted to be when he grew up. Over 50 years later he still loves farming, and his wife, Deb, does not believe he will ever retire.
With a chuckle, Dean explained that he started helping with chores at two, “I always wanted to be in the barn with Dad and the cows. I would get out of bed in the morning and out the door I would go to the barn. If there was snow on the ground, I might have my shoes on, or I might not, but I went to the barn. Dad had two ice cream pails that I carried with me to feed the cows and Dad carried four to five gallon pails. I got more and more into it, feeding cows, cleaning the barn.” At 12 years old Dean took over milking and started getting one-fourth of the milk check which amounted to $2,000 every two weeks. Laughing, “I had more money as a teenager than I do now.” The first tractor he drove was an old H Farmall and visitors to the farm will still see red tractors and a couple of blue tractors.
Dean’s parents, Erwin and Virginia Stortz purchased the 452-acre dairy farm near Newburg, Minn., in 1961. Everyone thought his dad was crazy. Erwin milked cows and had about 40 beef cows, 30 milk cows, and 20 sows. In 1998, Dean and Deb purchased the farm from Erwin and continued dairy farming until 2017 when the cows were sold. The couple now raise beef cattle and hogs, and farm 830 acres of row crops – corn, soybeans, and hay. They also feed 300 head of steers for Lloyd and Phil Yocum.
Dean and his future wife Debra Rude met at the Harmony skating rink. After dating for only 18 days and it being spring Dean did not waste any time asking Deb for her hand in marriage. Six months later the couple said, “I do” and have now been married 37 years. Dean confirmed that “It’s been a great life.”
Deb is not unfamiliar with life on a farm as she grew up on her family’s farm south of the former North Winneshiek school. Deb graciously shared advice for future farm wives, “When you get married you don’t only marry your husband you marry the farm.”
The couple has four children, Dennise, Danielle, Derek, and Danette, 11 grandchildren, Alexis, Frederick, Brooklyn, Braylee, Bryndle, Bennett, Brexdyn, Quinn, Ella, and Colton, plus their grandson Anthony in heaven and one great-grandchild, Odin. Deb said, “The farm is a good place to raise a group of kids.”
Deb is responsible for the farm’s direct marketing, bookwork, running errands, and watching the grandkids. Their house is busy with grandkids when school is out.
The couple are continually active in their community. They have served on the Fillmore County Dairy Board promoting dairy products and running the malt wagon. They are members of the Hesper-Mabel Historical Society, Toot & Whistle Club, and Mabel Business Association. Fillmore County Journal readers will find the Stortzes in the Canton Christmas parade handing out gifts to every child on the parade route. Look for them at Mabel events with their people mover.
In 2008, the couple hosted Dairy Night on the Farm, and in 2023 they had a 310-bushel Pioneer corn unirrigated test plot. Every year they plant four acres of sweet corn and invite family and friends over for corn fest. Last year over 130 friends and family attended corn fest and they put up 1,600 quarts of corn.
The couple’s legacy is one of hard work, love, and a steadfast commitment to their family, community, and farming life.