02/03/2026
Dean Nyffeler
Dean Allan Nyffeler, 78, passed away peacefully at Northwest Medical Center on Sunday January 25th from a broken heart. It may not be what the medical certificate says but those that knew him best felt this deeply in his last weeks.
Dean was born on August 7, 1947 in Fort Wayne, Indiana to the late Don and Betty (nee Hall) Nyffeler. He graduated from Ossian High School in 1965, and received an associates degree in geology from Indiana University in 1967. Dean proudly served in the US Navy, enlisting in 1968 and working with the nuclear power sources on submarines. A failed date for his roommate, introduced him to the love of his life, Madelaine Mason, while in Nuclear Power Training Command. They were married July 1st of 1971 and later sealed in the Logan temple October 1st of 1974.
Thanks to the U.S. Navy, the first few years of their marriage saw them stationed in the Mediterranean and then in Groton, Connecticut where they were blessed with the first of their three daughters. Following Dean's honorable discharge from the Navy, he enrolled at Brigham Young University where he completed a bachelors and then a masters degree in Public Administration. He then built his career with the Bureau of Land Management. He spent a lot of time in the desert, with much of his work focusing on oil and gas drilling and leasing on government owned land. After 10 years in southeastern New Mexico, the family eventually settled in Price, Utah.
Driving anywhere was a learning experience as Dean loved to teach his daughters about the geology of the areas outside their windows. Vehicles were often taken off road and down old dirt roads to the middle of nowhere. When asked what type of rocks were outside the window he would often quip “leverrights”; leave it right where you found it. He was a wealth of knowledge and loved history and travel. One of his favorite trips was a cruise to the Panama Canal. Other favorites were visiting his kids wherever in the world they might be. Dean also loved to read, especially science fiction. He was an avid BYU Football and Basketball fan. Madelaine and Dean were snowbirds who looked forward to the restaurants and grandkids activities in Tucson every winter.
Dean was preceded in death by his parents Don and Betty, his wife Madelaine and his sister Peggy Graft. He is survived by his three daughters Nicole, Lizanell (Tony) and Marenna (Ben), his four grandchildren Jacob, Madilyn, Annika and Makenna, his sister Beth (Randy) Merriman and his in-laws Leonard Graft (late Peggy), Elizabeth Wright (John), Kimballl Mason (Kristine), Joseph Mason (Colleen), Paul Mason (Laura) and Thomas Mason (Jennifer), as well as many nieces and nephews.
At his request he has been cremated. A celebration of his life will be held in the summer of 2026. In lieu of flowers, please support your local veterans organization. Arrangements are in the compassionate care of Castle Valley Funerals & Cremations where family and friends are always welcome and may share memories online at www.castlevalleyfunerals.com.
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