Dennis L Deanovic

Dennis L. Deanovic May 19, 1935 - July 8, 2014

Dennis L. Deanovic, age 79, of Faribault, passed away Tuesday, July 8, 2014, at the Pleasant Manor Nursing Home in Faribault, following an extended illness.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, July 14, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 139 Mercy Drive, Faribault. Interment will be at the Gilbert Cemetery in Gilbert, MN, at a later date.

Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory in Faribault on Sunday from 2:30 - 6:00 p.m. There will be no visitation or reviewal at the church on Monday.

On July 8, 2014, Dennis Deanovic completed his magnificent and impactful journey in this world. His life was rooted in a strong faith, and the highest value on his family and his community. A fun loving, story teller, always willing to stop and visit, who served others in whatever capacity he could, and enjoyed it. He was active with his grandchildren, enjoyed the great outdoors, and along with his wife of 57 years, was an accomplished polka dancer. For years, they traveled the 5 state area to dance the polka.

Dennis was born in Kinney, MN on May 19th, 1935 on the infamous Iron Range. He was a graduate of Buhl High School, class of 1953, where he was a multi-sport athlete. He graduated from Virginia Junior College, where he met his future wife Elizabeth Biondich, and graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth with a Bachelor''s degree in Education. He completed his education at the University of Minnesota and St Cloud State where he earned his Master''s degree in Elementary Administration.

His professional career started in the Mounds View school district in 1957 where he taught 6th grade and coached 6th grade basketball. During this time, he was selected the Ramsey County Teacher of the year, and became a finalist for the Minnesota Teacher of the Year. In 1969 he took on the role of the Director of Gifted Opportunity Center in Hutchinson, MN where he led that program for 3 years. He came to the Faribault school

district in 1972. He was the principal at Jefferson Elementary School, attended the Blandin Foundation program for community leadership, and ended his administration career as the principal at the Nerstrand Public School.

In 1985 Dennis became the 47th heart transplant at the University of Minnesota and our miracle man was born. At the time of his death, he was in a very elite class of the longest living heart transplant recipients in the state of Minnesota and throughout the entire United States, living into his 30th year. This was a gift and a blessing he made the very best of, a proud example of living life to its absolute fullest. He was a member of the University of Minnesota football chain gang'' for 25 years, working the sidelines of University football games on Saturday afternoons. And he accompanied his son and grandson on many back country canoe trips into the BWCA.

Dennis was a parishioner of Divine Mercy Catholic Church. He was an active member in the Knights of Columbus, the Lions Club, various Retired Educators Association of Minnesota (REAM) organizations and Second Chance for Life.

Dennis is survived by his loving wife (Liz), children (Dan & Chris), and sister (Sandra McCullough). Along with 3 grandchildren (Devon, Davis, and Desiree), triplets of Dan and his wife Lianne.

Memorial donations can be made in the name of Dennis Deanovic to the University of Minnesota Foundation-Heart Transplant Program, 200 Oak Street, Suite 500, Mpls, MN 55455, Bethlehem Academy athletic department, or the Nerstrand Charter School.