Milt Dean, a U.S. Army veteran and longtime Kenosha County resident, has been named the first recipient of the Kenosha County Veteran of the Year Award. The announcement was made by County Executive Samantha Kerkman, who will present the award at the annual Veterans Appreciation Summer Picnic on Friday, May 30.
The new award aims to recognize veterans for their contributions and achievements after military service. Dean’s selection is based on his decades of involvement in education and veterans’ causes. He served in Vietnam from 1966 to 1968 with the 93rd Engineers before returning home to Kenosha.
“We received many outstanding nominations for this award, but Milt’s many contributions to the community and his passion for education and advocacy for veterans put him above all others,” Kerkman said. “Milt’s spirit of service is what this award is all about, and he is a most-deserving recipient of the inaugural honor.”
Dean began teaching at Prairie Lane Elementary School after earning a degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and retiring from military service. He spent 34 years as a fifth- and sixth-grade teacher, earning recognition such as the Kenosha Unified School District Teacher of the Year Award in 1986. He also led an after-school intramural sports program and continues as an instructor following his retirement in 2004.
Beyond teaching, Dean has contributed through active membership in American Legion Post 21, Navy Club Ship 40, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1865. His work includes organizing Memorial Day and Veterans Day activities, supporting nursing home visits for veterans, participating in Heroes Café events at Festival Foods, mentoring students at local schools like Southport Elementary School and Armitage Academy, raising funds for Special Olympics with Prairie Lane Elementary School, sponsoring youth baseball teams through American Legion Post 21, and volunteering with organizations such as Salvation Army.
Dean’s wife Jackie nominated him for the honor. “I feel very honored and fortunate being chosen as the first recipient of the Kenosha County Veteran of the Year Award,” Dean said. “I’d like to personally thank County Executive Kerkman for initiating this new award honoring our valued commodity, veterans.”
Jennifer Blasi, Director of Kenosha County Veterans Services, added: “When it comes to veterans in our community, actively serving the community, Milt is second to none.”
Jackie Dean summarized her husband’s impact: “From city to county, his strength of conviction has benefitted thousands, of all age groups.”
Dean attended Bradford High School—one of Kenosha County’s largest high schools during the current academic year with an enrollment figure among the top three in the county (https://dpi.wi.gov/). Demographic data shows that white students made up about 55.6% (14,124) of total enrollment across county schools in 2023-24 (https://dpi.wi.gov/), while Hispanic students represented approximately one quarter (25.7%)—the second largest group—and Black students accounted for just over one tenth (10.4%) (https://dpi.wi.gov/).
Dean is also known for donating more than 15 gallons of AB negative blood over several decades.
The upcoming Veterans Appreciation Picnic will take place at noon Friday at Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park’s Veterans Honor Plaza in Randall and Wheatland towns. Free roundtrip transportation will be available from Festival Foods on 80th Street courtesy of Dousman Transport Co., space permitting; those needing transport are asked to contact Kenosha County Veterans Service Office.
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