MCNEALS NAMED AS 2026 FULDA WOOD DUCK PARADE GRAND MARSHALS

By Norma Dittman Leading this year’s Fulda Wood Duck Parade will be Grand Marshals Dean and Shirley McNeal. The parade will be on Saturday evening, June 20, 6 p.m., under the theme of Find Yourself.

The McNeals, who were married in 1963, have lived in Fulda for the past fifty-four years. The couple have been actively involved in the community, their church and the Fulda School District. Their history holds a great testament to a strong lifework- volunteer-play balance. Shirley grew up on a farm northeast of Jeffers, while Dean grew up in Windom. Shirley attended Minnesota Business School, and then worked as a Clerk Steno for Cottonwood County. Dean attended Worthington Junior College (now known as Minnesota West). He also studied at Mankato College, earning a Bachelor of Science in Social Studies and a Minor in Library Science.

“I met Dean through my job, because his mom also worked at the courthouse,” Shirley said. Dean had suffered a detached retina, which meant that he had to spend six weeks laying flat on his back, waiting for healing to be completed. When that time was over, he was able to go to the courthouse to pick his mom up from work – and there was Shirley!

Once married, the couple moved to Mankato so that Dean could complete his education. Both Shirley and Dean held jobs, with Dean working after classes as a shoe salesman.

In 1966, Dean interviewed for the school librarian position with Superintendent Alex Fisher at Fulda Public Schools. “I never had to have anything in writing with Mr. Fisher. Whatever he said was what happened. His word was gold.” He worked cooperatively with the public library librarian, Bernice Webb. Eventually, they saw the city library constructed and furnished where it is today. Dean was the school librarian for 39 years. For a time, he also taught 7th and 8th grade geography and history. He coached junior high football and wrestling, and ran the clock for both sports. He also taught driver’s education for almost 30 years.

The couple’s first son, Bill, was born in 1966. Then Dean and Shirley took on the custodian job at First Presbyterian Church. Dwayne Westra contacted Shirley and asked her if she would be willing to work as a paraprofessional to set up a resource room at the high school. “26 years later, I retired,” Shirley said with a grin. “I did a lot of paperwork for Machelle Nolt (special education teacher) and liked working with the students. Dean and I both enjoyed having the same vacation time as our children during the summer months.”

The McNeals are parents to three children: Bill, Tim, and Kari. Bill lives in Maple Grove; Tim in Lakeville, and Kari in Prior Lake. They have seven grandchildren.

Dean and Shirley have been involved in many community organizations throughout the years. Shirley has been a member of the Maple Lawn Pink Ladies and Grateful Grannies, Red Hat Ladies, and treasurer of the Presbyterian Women’s organization. She also taught for the Good News Club.

Dean served on the Maple Lawn Board of Directors for nine years, on the First Presbyterian Board, as a church deacon, on the Presbyterian Session Board, and is a Fulda Lions member.

Both Shirley and Dean have served as church elders. Dean still oversees the boiler operations at the church.

Since retiring, McNeals have also taken time to travel. They have been to Alaska, Hawaii, on a trip to Europe with son Bill and family, and on a Caribbean Cruise. “Before that we were also chaperones for the Fulda Marching Band when Mr. Quarnstrom and Mr. Peterson were the directors,” the couple stated. “We went with them to Dallas, Phoenix, Calgary, Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Washington, D.C. We were always the first ones to wake up and the last ones to go to bed.” Bus tours through First National Bank’s VIP Club have been a great pleasure for the McNeals, as well. “What is fun about those trips is that you get to be with other people from the area,” Shirley stated.

The McNeals will be moving to Golden Valley, MN, in July, as it is time for them to reduce the responsibilities of home ownership.