Dean S. Bartling

Dean S. Bartling

July 2, 1970 – July 17, 2025

VISITATION: Saturday, August 2, 2025, from 1pm to 3pm, with TIME OF SHARING at 2:00 p.m. at the West Center Chapel.

Golf attire is welcome. Bonus points if you still have grass clippings on your shoes.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to his children’s education fund.

To view a live broadcast of the Service, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “Live Cast” button at the top of the home page.

__________________________________________________________`

In Loving (and Laughing) Memory of Dean S. Bartling
July 2, 1970 – July 17, 2025

“Gone to the big 18 holes in the sky.”

With heavy hearts and full memories, we say goodbye to Dean S. Bartling, who passed away on July 17, 2025, at the age of 55. Though he’s no longer with us, his unmistakable voice — yelling “Dime on the dollar! Do you want it now or later? Left or the right?” — is still ringing in our ears.

Born in Omaha, Nebraska, to Richard and Jane Bartling, Dean was the sixth of eight siblings — part of a loud, loving, and always entertaining family.

Dean was a one-of-a-kind original. He worked hard, loved harder, and golfed whenever life would let him (though he’d argue it was never enough). He built a successful lawn care business from scratch, and while most people just talked about grind, Dean lived it. Whether he was mowing lawns, coaching basketball, or hauling gear with one hand and a Pepsi in the other, Dean gave everything he had — especially to the people he loved.

He adored his wife, Leslie, his partner of over 24 years, and was endlessly proud of their daughter, Selena. In recent years, his greatest joy came from working side by side with his son, Ryan—his pride and joy—passing on not just the ins and outs of the lawn care business, but the deeper lessons of hustle, heart, and responsibility. Dean was also a devoted father to his son, Chris and daughters, Sierra and Kelly from a previous marriage, always striving to stay present in their lives and cheering them on in his own way.

In addition to all that, Dean was also helping raise his two grandchildren — a role he stepped into with his whole heart. Whether it was rides, snacks, school runs, or life lessons, Papa Dean showed up. Tired or not, he gave those kids the best of himself every single day.

If you knew Dean, you heard “Dime on the dollar!” more than once — and while its exact meaning may have changed depending on the day, the passion behind it never did. That phrase became his calling card — full of energy, confidence, humor, and a little mischief. It summed him up perfectly.

Dean leaves behind a family who loved him fiercely: his wife, Leslie; children: Selena, Ryan, Sierra, Kelly, and Chris; and his grandchildren, who meant the world to him. He’s also survived by his siblings: Eddie (Jamilia), Vicky (Kerri), Jay, Don, Patti (Ron), Tammy (Lance), and Cindy (Steve); countless nieces, nephews, cousins, loyal clients, friends, basketball players, and golf buddies.

Dean’s legacy lives on in the lawns he manicured, the players he coached, the jokes he told, and the love he shared. He was the guy who showed up, who gave his all, and his big-hearted spirit will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor Dean by contributing to his children’s education fund. He always believed in investing in the future, especially theirs.

Please join us to celebrate Dean’s life on August 2nd at 1:00 PM at Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler West Center Chapel. 7805 W. Center Rd, Omaha, NE 68124. Golf attire is welcome. Bonus points if you still have grass clippings on your shoes.

Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler, West Center Chapel, 7805 West Center Road, Omaha, Ne 68124. (402)-391-3900. www.heafeyheafey.com