Dean was born June 8, 1924 i Sisseton, South Dakota, the son of Emil John and Nora Edna Babb Vaage. He is a veteran of World War II having served in the U.S. Navy.
He lived in Portland, OR from 1944 to 1970 where he was a school teacher for the Portland School District. He moved to Yamhill County in 1970.
He is survived by his wife M. Zolene Carpenter Vaage; three daughters Charma Vaage, Della Vaage, and Nancy Thomas; two sons Craig Vaage and Brad Vaage; 20 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.