Dean DeFrang

Dean DeFrang, age 54, of Fosston, MN, passed away on Wednesday, April 5th, in his home surrounded by his family after a hard fought battle with cancer. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 12th, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Fosston with Father JohnMelkies Suvakeen presiding. Interment will be in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery Hansville, rural Fosston. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service on Tuesday, April 11th and for one hour prior to the service on Wednesday. All visitation will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Arrangements are with the Carlin Funeral Home of Fosston and messages of condolence may be left at www.carlinfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. Memorials will be donated to Fosston Fire and Rescue and Essentia Health-Fosston Oncology Department. Dean was born on October 21, 1962 in Fosston MN to Carole (Nelson) and Douglas DeFrang. He spent his youngest years growing up with his siblings David, Tami, Sandra, and Wendy Sue in different states due to Doug's time spent in the service, before settling down in McIntosh, MN. He graduated from McIntosh Winger high school in 1980. He studied at Moorhead Technical College to become an Electrician, and later in his career he completed education to be a lineman. He began working for the City of Fosston in 1983 and was currently the Assistant Director of Public Works; additionally he was a volunteer firefighter for Fosston for 27 years. Dean took great pride in his work and was very loyal and dedicated to serve his city and the community around him.In 1974, Dean met the love of his life, Susanne (Schimanski), in the seventh grade; where they would remain together through his passing. They wed on November 3, 1984 in Fosston. In 1990 they were blessed with their first born, Jesse John followed in 1993 by their little girl Elizabeth Lois. Dean was a hardworking father and husband that enjoyed watching Jesse grow up playing ball and going hunting with Elizabeth. Dean has numerous nieces and nephews that he loved to joke around with and prompt activities that ended in laughter. Dean was an extremely respected and humbled man who became a father figure to the youth around him.Dean passed away on Wednesday, April 5, 2017, in his home surrounded by his family after a hard fought battle with cancer. Dean is survived by his wife Susanne, children Jesse and Elizabeth, and his pup, Abba; Mother Carole; Sisters Tami Hanson (Rick), Wendy Holtan (Brian), and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father Doug, brother David, and sister Sandra.We would like to thank Dean for being a selfless, hardworking husband, father, brother, son, and uncle. We can never give you enough gratitude for all that you have done and taught us throughout the years; there are no words to explain how much you will be missed. Thank you to the people near and far who have helped support Dean and our family throughout the last sixteen months. The countless prayers were heard and the kind words were felt.