Dean Michael Lorentz

Age 59 of Hugo. Loving Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Son & Brother, passed away where he was most at peace, the family deer hunting shack, on November 8, 2026.

Preceded in death by in-laws, Dennis & Patty Lahti. Survived by loving wife of 36 years, Michelle; children, Melanie (Branden Hase), Morgan (Ryan) Bain, Dylan; granddaughter, Braelyn; parents, Rueben & Linda; siblings, Darin (Sara McGinley), Danette (Kent) Anderson, Devin (Chantelle Johnson); brothers-in-law, Luke Lahti, Sean Lahti; grand dogs, Wally, Stanley; many nieces, nephews, other relatives & friends.

Dean, known by most as “Deano,” grew up in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, and graduated from Coon Rapids High School in 1985. As the oldest of four children, he spent many of his early years looking out for his siblings and always letting them tag along. High school brought a moment that would define the rest of his life: in 10th-grade art class, he met the love of his life, Michelle. Their bond quickly grew, leading to their marriage in 1990. From there, they moved to Hugo, Minnesota, to start a family, residing in the very same home ever since.

Dean dedicated his life to supporting the people he loved. He was immensely proud of his career and his hard-earned expertise as a “master machine operator,” as he liked to put it. Having started his career at just 17 with Longview Fiber Co., he was currently employed at International Paper, where his coworkers naturally became close friends.

To everyone who knew him, Deano was a beloved fisherman, a hunter, the life of the party, and a proud father and grandfather. The outdoors were his sanctuary, bringing him a deep sense of peace. He was also a fiercely loyal supporter of the Minnesota Vikings—the entire neighborhood always knew how the game was going simply by the sound of the cheering coming from Dean’s garage. His love for excitement extended to sprint car racing and the World of Outlaws; he and Michelle made it a tradition to catch them live at Cedar Lake Speedway at least once a season. Dean also took great pride in his garden, always excited to share his harvest with friends and family, often teaming up with Michelle to turn his homegrown peppers into large batches of homemade salsa. He always had a trick or a talent up his sleeve guaranteed to make everyone smile and laugh.

Dean had a rare and special gift for connecting instantly with anyone he met, turning strangers into lifelong friends within minutes. Whether he was offering a helping hand with manual labor, handing out pieces of candy or dog treats, or sharing tips and tricks on how to catch a big one, he was the kind of guy who loved giving back. He never expected anything in return—though a cold beer was always a welcome way to say thanks.

Recently, Dean was working hard to get back to feeling like his best self. After finally undergoing a hip replacement in August, he was eagerly looking forward to returning to the things he loved. He spoke with so much excitement about taking his granddog and granddaughter on walks, heading to the park, and getting down on the floor to play. He was doing everything he could to prepare to walk his daughter down the aisle, spend precious time with his grandchildren, and get back out on the water fishing with his son. He was endlessly proud of his children’s accomplishments and cherished every moment with his wife.

Dean’s life brought countless blessings to those around him, and his warm spirit will be deeply missed by so many.

A celebration of Dean’s life will take place at a later date. Complete notice to follow.