Dean Cole, age 86, of Longville, Minnesota passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, January 9, 2018 in Longville, MN.  Dean was born the son of Jean (Merritt) and Cecil Cole on June 4, 1931 in Clarksville, Iowa.

Dean grew up and completed his schooling in Greene Iowa.  After high school he married Marilyn (Reiher) on May 25, 1952.  Soon after they were married, he was drafted into the Army in November 1952 and deployed to Korea.  He was honorably discharged as a Sergeant in the motor pool in 1954.  He took great pride in being a Veteran.  After serving his country, he returned home to Iowa and started a family with Marilyn. They raised their kids on a family farm.  He enjoyed everything about tractors, especially International Harvester.  His father and grandfather owned the International Harvester Implement in Greene, IA and he spent much of his childhood there.  He had an extensive toy tractor collection.  His other love was the north woods of Minnesota where he and his family vacationed since he was a young child.  He made many friends in the area and was fond of Native American culture.  This was the main reason for moving to Longville, MN.  After retiring from farming in 1987 they moved north.  He enjoyed his retirement years selling anything from antiques to tractors.  He also liked telling stories about the old days.  Dean was active member of Longville Community Church for many years.  In May of 2017, he and Marilyn celebrated 65 years of marriage.

Family that Dean is reunited with are his parents; Cecil and Jean Cole.

Those he leaves behind to cherish his memory are his wife of 65 years Marilyn Cole of Longville, sons; Bob (Carol) Cole of Greene, IA, Brad (Deb) Cole of ND and Brian (Lisa) Cole of Nashua, IA, daughters; Brenda (Scott) Buck of Hackensack and Becky (Brit) Frerichs of Bristow, IA, sister; Paulette (Mike) Maxson of Greene, IA, 14 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and his many friends.

A memorial service for Dean will begin at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 13, 2018 at the Longville Community Church in Longville, MN.  Pastor Duane Brown will officiate.  The urnbearer for Dean will be Tony Longerbone.  His honorary pallbearers are all his grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Military honors accorded by the Longville VFW, Longville, MN.  In lieu of flowers, memorial preferred to the Elevator Fund at Longville Community Church, P.O. Box 183, Longville, MN 56655.

Dean’s care has been entrusted to Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker.  Online condolences for the family may be left at www.northernpeace.com