Dean Cowdin

Dean Emory Cowdin, 80 year old resident of Waseca, died peacefully Monday, March 5, 2018 at Mayo Clinic Health Systems in Waseca.

Funeral Service will be 11:00 am on Saturday, March 10, 2018 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Cleveland, Minnesota with Pastor Liz Rossing, officiating. Interment will be in Woodland Hills at Mankato. Visitation will be from 4-7 pm on Friday, March 9, 2018 at Starkson & Steffel Funeral Home ~ Arnoldt Chapel of Janesville and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Memorials are preferred to Mayo Clinic Hospice.

Dean Cowdin was born on October 18, 1937, in Waseca to Theo and Ellna (Proechel) Cowdin. He grew up in Janesville, graduating in 1955, from Janesville High School. Following his education, he began working as a surveyor for Waseca County before joining the Mankato Police Department in 1970. During his time with the police department he enjoyed many positions, retiring as a commander in 1992. Following his retirement, Dean began working at Mystic Lake as a Security Supervisor where he made many great friends. He also worked for Nicollet County as a welfare fraud investigator for 18 years.

On April 6, 1963, Dean was united in marriage to Janice Foster at Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville. They lived and raised their son, Brad, in Janesville before moving to Mankato in 1971, and later moving back to the Madison Lake area in 1999. Together they shared almost 50 years of marriage before Janice passed away in 2012.

Dean was a true outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and trapping. He was a member of Minnesota Trappers Association and Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Cleveland. He also enjoyed spending time with his friends at Mystic Lake. Dean cherished the time he spent with his family, and always enjoyed playing cards.

Dean is survived by his son: Brad (April) Cowdin of Marion, IA; grandchildren: Kaylie, Camryn, Lily, and Luke; siblings: Theo "Butch" (Gail) Cowdin of Bella Vista, AR, Jody (Steve) Schroeder of Waseca, Dave (Sally) Skrlin of Albert Lea, Ann (Jason) Gerdts of Janesville; special friend, Janet Nelson; honorary son, Jeff (Sally) Fales; sister-in-law, Fern Renken of Waterville; brother-in-law, Jerry Schafer of Madison Lake; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; step-mother, Theresa Cowdin; wife; sister, Carol and her husband Fred Glade; his twin brother in infancy, Dennis; his brother Ronal; and his sister Cindy Lou, all in infancy and a niece, Janelle Schroeder in infancy.