Service Information
Dean K. Lind, husband of Gail, age 84, of Hutchinson, formerly of Winthrop, Minnesota, passed away on Thursday, November 30, 2023, at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson.
Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, 1:30 P.M. at Dalin-Hantge Funeral Chapel in Winthrop, Minnesota, with private family interment in The Winthrop Cemetery.
Memorials preferred to any charity of choice.
Obituary
Dean Kenneth Lind, 84 of Hutchinson, Minnesota died Thursday, November 30th, 2023. Dean was born on November 28th, 1939, to George and Minerva (Quist) Lind in St. Peter, MN. He grew up on farms in New Sweden and Bernadotte Townships in Nicollet County, MN and attended Winthrop, MN High School where he met his wife of 61 years Gail (Johnson) Lind.
Dean will forever remain an example of how to lead a good life. He was a loving husband and father who lived with integrity, curiosity, generosity and balance. After his family the two great loves of his life were woodworking and cars.
Restoring cars was a running hobby for 35 years and there were many; starting with a 1930 Chevrolet with lifelong friends Roy and Ron and finishing with a 1955 Ford. In between there were a host of early Mustangs and many others.
He first developed his construction skills pounding nails at age 3 in the barn as entertainment while his parents milked the cows. He built a table saw at age 12 using an old grinder arbor, homemade table and fence with a 10” blade so he could produce his first kitchen cabinet for his mom. That cabinet is still rock solid and in use in his son’s shop. Even with that early start he retained 10 complete fingers to his last day, a testament to his skill and careful attention to details. His natural abilities were nurtured by his construction education at Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis.
During his entire career and well into his retirement he was building. He built houses early on as a carpenter, he built cabinets and beautiful furniture for houses, banks, churches and libraries. He and his partner Dale built a business devoted to building exceptional things all out of wood. At age 80 he made and installed all the millwork and many built-in cabinets in his and Gail’s new home.
Dean was able to strike up a conversation with everyone he encountered. He was always curious to learn what others did, what they enjoyed and what they knew. He was generous with his time and knowledge and always willing to offer guidance or an opinion if you asked for it. It was obvious he enjoyed these encounters and sharing with others what he had learned from past encounters.
It was a full life, extremely well-lived, and this remembrance only hints at the fullness of it all. In his younger years he sometimes drove cars with reckless abandon and raced homebuilt hydroplane boats when he didn’t know how to swim. The wanderlust that led to so many great vacations, his 4 years in the Air Force with Top Secret Crypto clearance, his work with Habitat for Humanity and so on.
Most importantly, along the entire arc of his life he was building up his family and friends and many others he helped. He will be lovingly remembered for his devotion to their betterment and concern for their welfare.
Dean is survived by his wife Gail of Hutchinson, children Scott (Marla) Lind of Ontario, WI, daughter Michele Lind of Storm Lake, IA, grandson Jesse (Taira) Kraft of Sioux City IA, great grandchildren Rowen and Raegan Kraft also of Sioux City and his sister Cindy (Norm) Bauer of Watertown, MN, nephew Jeff (Barb) Bauer of Minnetrista, MN.
Gladys Larson says
Gail,
I was so surprised as I hadn’t heard. I just moved to NorwoodYA on the 1st of December, yesterday..
My very deepest sympathy to you, Gail, and your family! I will try my hardest to be at the memorial service in Winthrop funeral chapel! Words can’t express what I am feeling for you as I read this on line.
Again my deepest and sincere sympathy! Love from Gladys
Roy (Mike) Nelson says
I got to know Dean when I started going to school in Winthrop. So, we where friends for about 70 years. Dean was just a nice, always ready to help, nonjudgemental person. Over the years as I needed help/advice on cars, building a house, how to build cabinets or anything else, Dean was always ready to help me solve the problem. I will miss Dean so much as a friend, problem solver and a person who enjoyed helping others.
Dean & Shirley Lindquist says
Our sympathy to all Dean’s Family, its hard to say goodbye to those we love.
Doris Rice says
Gail, our deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family. May God surround you with his loving arms and give you comfort and peace. Your family holds a special place in our hearts as we spent time together when you lived in Storm Lake. Tom and Doris
Ryan Newell says
Gail,
It was with much sadness hearing of Dean’s passing. The knowledge and skills that he passed along to the volunteers at Haywood Habitat for Humanity leave a legacy that will long be felt. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family during these difficult times.
With much respect,
Ryan Newell and the entire Haywood Habitat for Humanity Family
DeVon Hannah (Wahl) says
Gail and family,
I am so very sad to hear of Dean’s passing.
I remember him as being a rare individual having such boundless kindness, intelligence and passion for his family, friends and life.
My favorite memory is riding in the 1965 Mustang convertible around the lake, while I was trying to talk my dad into helping me restore one for my first car!
My heart is with you and your family.
Jodie Morin says
Dear Gail and family,
I saw Dean’s obituary in the Storm Lake Times Pilot yesterday. I’m so sorry for your loss. I recall your recent visit to Storm Lake to see the Library and visiting with Gail in the parking lot. And I recall the time when Dean decided to set up his own business and Gail telling us that they had decided to name the new business “Benchmark Woodworks.” Thinking of you all at this difficult time and remembering happier times.