Family & Farm
Continuing in the footsteps of the original owners, Uncle Dean's proudly remains family owned and independently operated. No big corporation here. Jim and Katie see the store as an amazing blessing and privilege, and hope to steward and guide it well into the future, building upon the solid foundation the Bureaus provided. Along with their children, they want to continue to grow Uncle Dean's into a destination for the discriminating food shopper, all the while offering excellent customer service, value and that old fashioned country store experience. We love getting to know our customers. We may not know your name yet but we hope to have the opportunity. Come on in and say "hi".
We want Uncle Dean's to become an even bigger part of the community in terms of providing great food and products but, also, in terms of serving and giving back. To whom much is given, much is expected...
“The mind of man plans his way,
but the Lord directs his steps.”
Our family has often taken the road less traveled. We have a tendency to step off the beaten path. We aren't afraid to try new things and hope we have instilled that in our children. Years ago, when we hosted a group of Ugandan orphans and later traveled to Ethiopia to meet and bring home two of our sons, we were struck by how much joy could be found in people and places that had so little, materially speaking. We had been feeling led to more fully embrace the simpler things in life, too, and were all the more convinced once we returned from Africa. Not long after, we decided to sell our house in a suburb of Chicago and move to St. Louis to set up a little farm. At the time, friends and family thought we had lost our minds. That little farm has continued to grow and expand over the years and provides so much joy…..along with a lot of chores and projects. Never a dull moment! :) The Lord continues to guide and bless as we have more recently welcomed another member to the family through adoption, our beautiful little daughter, who happens to have Down Syndrome. What an amazing gift she is! The adventure, indeed, continues.
“‘Come follow Me,’ Jesus said, .…” — Matthew 4:19a
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father but through Me.’” — John 14:6
“But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” — Matt 7:14
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I
- I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”