Dean V. Erdmann

Dean V. Erdmann – Rochester Dean Victor Erdmann fulfilled his wish to join the Lord in heaven on May 5, 2025. At the age of 79, Dean passed peacefully at Season's Hospice House in Rochester, Minnesota after living 13 years with myelofibrosis, a rare blood cancer. Dean was born on September 13, 1945, to Victor and Gladys (Senrick) Erdmann. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mary (Plank) Erdmann; daughter Deanna (Brian) Royse; son Jared Erdmann and his partner Sebastian Francis; grandchildren Naomi Line and Mariah (Ben) Hicks; step-grandchild Jacob Royse; great grandchild Briggs Line; siblings, Doris Oevering, Carol Feine, Jean Volkman, Vic (Linda) Erdmann, and Kathy (Ken) Schmidt; sister-in-law Dawn Erdmann; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Victor and Gladys (Senrick) Erdmann and brother Kent Erdmann. Dean grew up in a farming community known locally as Wiscoy Valley between Winona and Rushford. He graduated from Lewiston High School in June of 1963 with 56 of his classmates. He worked as a farmhand all through high school for Kenneth and Doris Feine, his uncle Edgar Rupprecht, and Conrad Brandt. In school, Dean enjoyed playing football, baseball, and softball. Dean served in the US Navy on the USS Columbus (CG-12) from February 12, 1964, until December 20th, 1967. He started working for AT&T (Northwestern Bell) on October 14th, 1968, and worked there through various name changes from AT&T to US West, Qwest to CenturyLink for a total of 40 years. With the phone company Dean worked his way up from a lineman to Lead Engineer for Southeast Minnesota. Dean enjoyed stock car racing (in his early years), boating, fishing, hunting, playing volleyball, attending estate sales and auctions, and camping in the RV. Dean and Mary and kids spent holidays for many years with extended family camping at Prairie Island, Mille Lacs Lake, Ottertail Lake, Lake Winnibigoshish and Two Harbors. As avid snowbirds, Dean and Mary spent 12 winters in Ocala, Florida, 8 winters in Tucson, Arizona, and most recently 4 winters in Conroe, Texas. As a man of steadfast Christian faith, Dean was a leader at the phone company and in his church community. He enjoyed working on projects at home and at church and was known to offer a helping hand to family and friends for almost any task-car and machinery repairs, electrical work, remodeling, even lawn work. The Funeral Service for Dean will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 11:00AM at Redeemer Lutheran Church (869 7th Ave SE Rochester, MN 55904) with Pastor Adam Koglin officiating. A luncheon will immediately follow. The family will be hosting a visitation on Friday, May 9th 2025 from 5:00PM to 7:00PM in the Redeemer Lutheran Church Narthex along with one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Military Honors will be provided by American Legion Post 92 of Rochester. Burial will be in the Mausoleum located at Grandview Memorial Gardens, 1300 Marion Rd. SE, Rochester, MN 55904. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the construction project at Redeemer Lutheran Church. Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com