Dean Gregory Schermann, age 68 of Winsted, MN, passed away on September 16, 2020. He was born on January 20, 1952 in Cokato, Minnesota to Edward and Anastasia (Gritz) Schermann. Dean grew up in Winsted, and graduated from Holy Trinity School with the class of 1971.
Following graduation, he held various jobs and was known for his strong work ethic; he worked at Sterner Lighting from 1971 until their closing, Millerbernd Design and Fabrication, drove pilot car, semi and was a parts runner for Littfin Lumber. He also owned and operated a lawn and garden service with his brother Tom in the area.
No matter the weather, Dean would always wear his overalls and cut off t-shirts, which became his trademark sense of style. Dean, affectionately called “Uncle Dean” by students and staff, was a pillar of the Holy Trinity school community. You could find him volunteering his time as a score keeper at basketball games, making donations for school activities, and he helped take care of the facilities when needed. Holy Trinity students dedicated their year book two different years to “Uncle Dean”, which made him very proud. He was nominated and received several awards and honors for his generosity to the community, but he was often too humble to accept them. He felt he didn’t need recognition for his services, and that was the type of person Dean was. He also was a member of the Winsted Community Choir.
His generous and kind heart was truly genuine. If you needed a helping hand, Dean was the person you could count on for support and he never expected anything in return. He loved being social, and enjoyed providing his homemade soups and bread for his friends and family as a special treat. Dean was someone that you could have great conversations with and he would always make time to ask you about your day.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Anastasia; brother, Raymond; infant sister, Rita; and niece, Michelle.
Dean is survived by his siblings, Marty (Janice) Schermann, Elaine Schermann, Tom (Connie) Schermann, and Emily Schermann; nieces and nephews, Paul (Shannon) Schermann, Chris (Jeremy) Cardinal, Sarah (Matt) Bogema, and Amanda Schermann; great-nieces and great- nephews, Kari and Scott Koschenina, Anna, Olivia, and Emma Cardinal, Leslie Bogema, and Kameron Schermann; and all the special people he’s met through Holy Trinity School.
Per Dean’s wishes, do not send flowers, but rather make a donation to Holy Trinity School to help fund any activities or scholarships.
Visitation will be held Thursday, September 24, 2020 at 9:00 AM at the Chilson Funeral Home in Winsted. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 AM at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Winsted, MN also on Thursday, September 24, 2020. Interment will take place at a later date at Holy Trinity Cemetery in Winsted, MN. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Chilson Funeral Home of Winsted, MN. Online condolences for the family may be directed to www.chilsonfuneralhome.com
He was a great great man and will be missed by lots of friends and family.
Goodbye Cousin Dean,
I will definitely be missing you very much! Love you!
shocked to hear, sad , nice person, thanks what you did when cami was lost to us rest in peace .
Dean’s presence in the Winsted community will be greatly missed; especially by the youth at Holy Trinity School. Our deepest condolences. God speed, Dean. We loved you.
Uncle Deno. You were one of a kind and we are so blessed to have had you in our lives and our community. May your legacy live on in our hearts and our memories.
A Family friend for years
Will miss chats we had
Missed greatly
Dean, you will be missed so much by your Canadian cousins, Janice and Jill. We always enjoyed talking to you about anything and everything along with having a few good laughs. The cards signed “Just me Deno” will be missed. You will forever be remembered and always in our hearts. Until we meet again Dean ….. Janice and Jill from Canada
Uncle Dean,
Your generosity, kind heart, big smile and sleeveless wardrobe will be greatly missed.
I was deeply saddened when I heard the news of your passing. I am also so appreciative of having the opportunity to know you.
Deano. You were one of tbe greatest people we ever met. You will be missed by so many people. RIP OUR FRIEND
Dean was one of the kindest and most generous people I have ever known. He had a servant heart and attitude. He will be greatly missed, but his generosity and legacy will live on in all of those he touched.
I’m sorry for the loss of your brother. He sounds like someone I would like!!
Dean, You will be missed
Dean was ” one of a kind”. A friend to many. He will be missed.
Dean , you called us not too long ago to ask if you could stop to visit when you went by…. we had a nice long talk, and you knew we lived on this road someplace as you went by…. wished we could have had that visit… we will have to do it some day in heaven…say Hi to all the relatives there. Margaret??
This is truly a sad day for our community. Dean you touched so many peoples lives with your kindness and thoughtfulness. We will miss your laughter. Our prayers to all the Schermann family.
Dean was the type of person you would want your children to grow up to be so kind always willing to help anyone he will be missed
Dean was the kind of man that was always there for others when facing the loss of a loved one – I will never forget all the food he dropped by my mom’s when my Dad died this past spring. He was a very giving and thoughtful person who went out of his way to do the little things that make living in a small town special. He lived the true Christian life and he will be missed . My family continues to pray for the Schermann Family – that HE gives you the strength to remain faithful and endure through this difficult time.
Gods speed my friend, see you again.
All the tributes that have been given to Uncle Dean in the past week are so deserving and so true. He was always there to support the students,faculty,and staff of Holy Trinity. His support,in good times and bad, of people in the Winsted community has been amazing. He gave his support without expecting anything in return.
My deepest sympathies to Dean’s family. May he rest in peace.
Dean was an incredible man. I don’t know that I have met a more caring and generous person than Dean. He was kind, thoughtful and made time to visit with people both young and old. I witnessed his kindness firsthand back in 1977. Dean backed up his semi to help his old high school football coach pack up his house and move up north. Dean asked me and a few others to come help load things into his semi. He then asked me to drive up north with him to help Coach Larry Anderson move into his new house. Whether it was visiting the sick and dying, or helping out at Holy Trinity, Dean was there to lend a helping hand. His impact on the community of Winsted is noteworthy. He was a true Christian in every sense of the word, and a servant of God. If everyone were as kind, generous and caring as Dean, we would all live in a better world. He gave all he had, and asked for nothing in return. He will be missed by many. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Schermann family.
Our family is so sorry to hear about Dean.. He was so good to are a mother. The soups and breads were wonderful. We are grateful he helped my mother’s final months during Covid 19 bearable…
May you Rest in Peace Dean!❤
Thanks for the many things you did for us…at our time of sorrow. It is hard to believe you are gone…And with the Lord. God Bless you and Gods speed with you!
Deano has been my friend since 1975 when he was a chaperone/driver for a highschool group to Kentucky (or bust.) For 45 years he kept in touch. He knew my family and stopped by to visit my aging parents in Minneapolis occasionally. They loved watching him back his semi up their narrow driveway to their backyard- Just one of the many fun memories we have of Deano.
Uncle Dean was so nice to me all through my apostolate in Winsted and still extended it to my present place. I can’t count his greeting cards (music) and gifts on various occasions. May his good deeds follow him to eternity.