Obituary of Dean Dwinell

Dean Dwinell “Grandpa Deanie” from Apple Valley, MN, died in Arizona on March 25, 2024, at the age 88. He met the love of his life, Beverly (Bev), and they were married for over 65 years. He encouraged his three daughters and grandchildren consistently by sharing how proud he was of each of them and taught them to live life to the fullest.

Following High School in Morris, MN, he proudly served our country in Korea with the U.S. Army. After leaving the military, he obtained a Business Degree, worked at the US Postal Service in Minneapolis, and retired as a Data Communications Specialist with the Postal Data Center in 1990.

Grandpa Deanie loved cleaning fish with the grandkids and volunteered on several Pokegama Lake Association committees in Pine City, MN. When they weren’t at the cabin, he and Bev enjoyed many years of travel together.

Whether it was Wordle, crossword puzzles, or taking Spanish at MIT, his passion for knowledge was contagious. He was an avid reader and used to grin when sharing he’d been retired almost longer than the years he’d worked.

He is remembered fondly for his love of ice cream and cheering on University of Minnesota sports teams, where his Dad worked for many years.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Virg and Millie Dwinell, and his brothers, Bud and Ronnie. He is survived by wife, Bev (Handyside); daughters, Diane (Ed) Corbett, Shelly (Mitch) Elliott, and Tracy (Brad) Brunn; brother, Dave (Sharon) Dwinell; grandchildren, Josh (Chelsea) Krob, Ty (Jen Collins) Krob, Blake (Jordan) Brunn, Brooke (Justin) Cochran, Claire (Nate) Murray, Paige (Connor) Bergman, Erik (Anna) Corbett, Amanda (Jake) Hebrink, Tasha (Jay) Bolivar; and great grandchildren, Elliot, Noah, Ian, Brynn, Taylor, Brooks Dean, Liam, Teagan, Hudson, and Baby (Blake and Jordan).

He enriched our lives and leaves an amazing legacy - may it live on in all of us blessed to have known him. A Celebration of Life service will be held in Dean’s honor on Monday, June 17, 2024, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 13801 Fairview Drive, Burnsville, MN, starting with visitation at 10 a.m. and the service at 11 a.m. Following lunch at the church, a military burial will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery beginning at 1:45 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Disabled American Veterans would be appreciated.