DeeDee Jonrowe was born in Frankfurt Germany in 1953 while her father was stationed in Greece. Growing up in a military family, she began elementary school in Ethiopia, attended junior high school in Okinawa, Japan, and graduated from high school in Virginia. The military brought the Stout family to Alaska in 1971. DeeDee enrolled in the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, where she earned a B.S. degree in Biological Sciences & Renewable Resources. She worked as a biologist for the State of Alaska for 10 years. Her thirst for adventure encouraged her to strike out, commercial fishing her own herring gill net boat in Norton Sound, fishing for red salmon in Bristol Bay, and eventually driving a 28 foot jet boat in Southcentral as a sport fishing guide. Her present occupation is kennel owner and dog racer.
She began mushing in 1979 and became interested in the Iditarod after her mother, Peg, shared her interest in the race while DeeDee lived in Bethel, Alaska.
DeeDee says, "I have had many successes and disappointments in the past 20+ years but one element has remained consistent. I have always tried to do my very best and I have always enjoyed the special bond and love that I have shared with my dogs. It has been my privilege to share this unique experience with the volunteers and race fans.”
DeeDee has won numerous awards for the care of her dogs throughout her career, including the best-cared for team, the best dog care award (given by staff veterinarians), the dog's best friend award, and the Iditarod’s Alaska Airlines Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Award for excellence in dog care. Because her dogs are a top priority, she became a founding member of Mush with PRIDE, which provides responsible information of a dog's environment, exhibiting her commitment to set the standards for all aspects of sled dog care.
She especially enjoys cross country skiing, Labrador retrievers, running, in-line skating, Ragdoll cats, horses, and recently has developed a passion for her small flock of laying hens. DeeDee is married to husband, Mike, who helps extensively in her training season.
DeeDee Jonrowe is the foremost female dog musher competing in the world today. She has both the fastest time of any woman in the history of the Iditarod and 14 top ten finishes in her career. Her second place finish in 1998 was the fifth fastest Iditarod time ever recorded at that point. In addition to the Iditarod, DeeDee has competed and won most major dog sledding races throughout her career, including the Copper Basin 300, Klondike 300 and the John Beargrease sled dog marathon.
DeeDee ran her first Iditarod in 1980 and soon undertook a comprehensive breeding and training program for her dogs, and a rigorous physical fitness program for herself. By the time DeeDee and her team undertake the Iditarod in March of each year, they have logged over 2000 miles of training together.
Her highly publicized battle with breast cancer that she began in 2002 has seen her become a tireless fundraiser. In 2003 she became an honorary chairperson for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, assisting the organization in its fundraising efforts as well. DeeDee's humanitarian efforts have been well-documented, having been given the YWCA's "Alaska Woman of Achievement of Award", the most inspirational musher award, and even as the spokesperson for the National Girl Scouts Council and Winter Special Olympics.
DeeDee has been profiled in such media outlets as Sports Illustrated, Redbook, and Outside magazines. She is a published author, and is currently pending another book profiling her comeback from cancer to race again.
Although DeeDee has run in and won many dog sled races, the world renowned Iditarod is the race for which she is best known.
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