K. Dean Kiger, age 79, of Audubon, IA, died on Monday, February 10, 2025, at the Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, IA. Dean was born on May 5, 1945, to Carl and Wilma Kiger (Hudson) in Pueblo, Colorado. He graduated from Fairfield High School in 1963, participating in football, wrestling, baseball, and track. From 1963-1968, he attended, wrestled, and obtained a master’s degree in education at State College of Iowa, today known as the University of Northern Iowa (UNI). In his fifth year of college, he began his official coaching career as the freshman coach.
After college, he moved to Audubon, Iowa, where he taught American History, Psychology, and Physical Education. He coached countless high school athletes in wrestling, football, baseball, and volleyball, and he was proud to start the Wheelers’ cross-country program. For 15 summers, Dean ran the city recreation baseball program. His passion for sports led him to become the Athletic Director from 1983-2001, supporting hours of extracurricular activities. In 1999, he was inducted into the Iowa High School Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame. In 2001, he was inducted into the Iowa High School Athletic Directors Hall of Fame.
Dean married Judy Richeal on August 7, 1971, in Watertown, South Dakota. They were blessed with three children: Matthew, Jacque, and Andrew. Dean and Judy spent their time together traveling to their children’s events. Upon retirement in 2001, Dean could be found playing golf in the afternoon and fishing in the evening. Once Judy retired, they took many vacations, including bus trips across the United States. Their favorite destination was Branson, Missouri, where they enjoyed country and gospel music.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Judy Kiger, on May 3, 2020.
Dean is survived by his sons, Matt (Jill) Kiger of Logan, IA, and Andy (McKenzie) Kiger of Carroll, IA; his daughter, Jacque Kiger of Maysville, MO; five grandchildren, Gavin, Maria (Matt), Brianna, Dominic, Fletcher (Andy) and a brother Dennis Kiger of Coon Rapids, IA
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, February 14, 2025, at the First United Methodist Church in Audubon, with Rev. Carla Evers officiating. Burial will follow at Arlington Heights Cemetery in Audubon. Visitation with the family present will be on Thursday, February 13, 2025, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Audubon.
Memorials can be made in his name to the Athletic Department at Audubon High School and left or mailed to the funeral home at PO Box 201 – Audubon. The Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Audubon is caring for the Kiger family at this time and condolences can be sent at schmidtfamilyfh.com
