Deke Naaktgeboren, 38, was born and raised in Pella, Iowa. Deke, an alumnus of Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado, earned dual degrees in Business and Recreation. Before moving to Alaska, Deke lived in Florida where he was a park ranger in Everglades National Park. His dream has always been to live in Alaska and compete in the Iditarod. Deke currently resides in the Goldstream Valley of Fairbanks, Alaska. He spends most of his summer in the 40 Mile Country near Chicken, Alaska and works for the Bureau of Land Management. He began mushing in 2008 and has run a number of distance and mid-distance races since then. He seems to be a magnet for bad weather during races and was part of the Elim 11 in the 2020 Iditarod. He hopes to have a bit quicker and less dramatic run in his 2nd Iditarod in 2022. Deke is the father of Nolan, 6, and lists his hobbies as “being a dad, fixing things, and mowing the lawn.” He cannot wait to come down Front Street with his best dog Princess Jasmine leading the way.

SPONSORS:
Aurora Animal Clinic
Chicken Creek Saloon
The Amazing Individual Dog Sponsors
Nikki and Eric
Uncle Lar’s Outpost