Dean Earl Cook

Dean Earl Cook was born in November 1946 in Lake City, Minnesota, son of Donald Earl and Loretta Mae, and raised in Ellsworth, Wisconsin.  He is the proud brother to sisters Mary, Dona, Lana, Terry, and brother Gale.  He earned his GED and completed required college credits while employed.

Dean met his would-be future wife, Carol, in 1970 on a blind date.  They eventually married in June of 1971.  They moved into an apartment in Spring Park, Minnesota before moving to Minneapolis and planted roots in Cottage Grove, Minnesota.

In September of 1975 their only daughter, Rhonda, was born. 

Rhonda blessed Dean with four amazing grandchildren, Mercedes (Chandler), Alicia (Noah), Emma, and best buddy, Ryan, and soon to be great-grandson, something he was proud of and looking forward to as well as seeing Alicia graduate from nursing school this spring. 

Dean spent most of his adult life in the culinary field, working for the U of M, Radisson South Hotel, and the 133rd Air Lift Wing near the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.  While he enjoyed cooking for others, he found it difficult to scale his recipes down to his family of three.  Most recently, he was working part time as a chef at River Oaks Golf Course in Cottage Grove. 

He was extremely proud of his sobriety of 37 years and was proud to be a sponsor to many over the years and would speak to teenage boys about alcoholism in Red Wing, Minnesota.   He also participated in the Cottage Grove Jaycees, where he and his wife planned the 10 Outstanding Young Minnesota Scholarships as well as scaring young trick or treaters at the Halloween haunted house. 

Dean was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and outdoor grilling.  He enjoyed playing weekly card games such as cribbage and euchre.  He also enjoyed bowling with his wife on a bowling league and road trips with his family.

Dean passed away on Thursday, February 23, 2023 at his home surrounded by his wife and daughter.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Loretta Cook.  He is survived by his loving wife, Carol; daughter, Rhonda (Ian); four grandchildren; brothers and sisters; his brother-in-law, Robert (Sheila); and many nieces and nephews.   

A memorial service will be held at Augustana Lutheran Church, 1400 South Robert Street, West St. Paul, MN 55118 on Thursday, March 2, 2023 at 11:00 am. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. 

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his name to Apraxia Kids, https://www.apraxia-kids.org/.