Dean Edwin Henn, 66, died on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, at his home in Zumbro Falls.

There will be no formal funeral, but there will be a Remembrance of Dean's life, to be held in Zumbro Falls, which will be announced to family and friends at a later date.

Dean was born on Dec. 12, 1957, in Zumbrota, Minn., to Edwin and Lois (Zemke) Henn. He was the third born of their five boys: Arlan, Gordy, Dean, Greg, and Donny. Dean attended Lincoln Trinity Lutheran Church as a child and was confirmed there. He attended Zumbro Falls Elementary School, and then Lincoln Junior/Senior High School in Lake City, graduating in 1976.

As a teenager, Dean worked for several years at the Skelly Gas Station in Zumbro Falls. He then moved on to his longest career working at Land O' Lakes Creamery in Oak Center. In later years he was mostly self-employed as a handy man and was skilled at working with concrete and sheet rock.

Dean married his high school sweetheart Kathi (Lane) in 1976, and their relationship produced two children, Forrest and Brooke. Dean and Kathi eventually divorced. Dean never married again. But he had a relationship with Lisa Ann Tri, and they also had two children, Spike and Echo. Dean is survived by his children, Forrest (Tammy), Brooke (Vashon), Spike (Holly) and Echo; his grandchildren, Ava, Olivia, Brady, Chloe, Dallas, Summer, Savannah, and Jericho; and his siblings, Gordy, Greg, Donny (Judy) and Kristi (Dane).

Dean was preceded in death by his father, Edwin (11/14/70); mother, Lois (1/2/11); brother, Arlan (1954); step-father, Norman Allers (7/18/06); and partner, Lisa Ann Tri (9/17/13).

Those who knew Dean would agree that he was a generally happy, good-natured person. He had a friendly smile and a quick sense of humor. He seemed to never take life too seriously, which was both a blessing and a curse. He was a cancer survivor, overcoming tongue/throat cancer during his late 50's. But the major surgery and the long recovery process changed him forever, physically, socially and emotionally. It robbed him of his ability to speak loudly and clearly, and conversation became very challenging. His appetite and his ability to eat were affected, and he lost weight and muscle. Other medical issues set in. The former life of the party became withdrawn. In the end, and for many years, his caretakers were his brothers Gordy and Greg.

In the best of his times, Dean was 6-foot tall, strong, and athletic. He loved sports and the outdoors. He enjoyed fishing and fishing trips with friends. He was an excellent baseball player in high school, and in his 20s played many seasons of bar league softball. Dean embraced the fun and camaraderie (and beer) of the Friday night league games, and the many weekend tournaments with his primary teams, Norm's Bar of Zumbro Falls, and Freddie's Bar of Hammond. The Freddie's team for several summers included all four Henn brothers, a unique experience which they all reveled in.

Dean was a gifted league pool player in his younger days, and he also excelled in money games of cribbage with friends. His comfort zone for much of his life was the local bars in Zumbro Falls. The familiar faces here were his community. They were his friends, his support group, his confidantes and counselors. At home, Dean mostly loved watching Twins games, and the old TV shows from when he was a kid. He was also an avid reader of books of all genres, which will likely surprise most who knew him. He enjoyed country music mostly, and recently he revealed to his niece Destiny that his favorite artist was Reba McEntire. On the day of his passing, Reba performed the National Anthem at the Super Bowl. A final encore for Dean.