Dean Francis Lent

The delayed Funeral Mass for long-time Rochester, Minnesota resident, Dean Francis Lent, 94, will be held at Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Rochester, where Dean was a charter member, at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, September 5, 2020, with Reverend Jim Berning officiating. A visitation will take place at the church at 10:00 A.M. Burial will follow the service at Calvary Catholic Cemetery. An outdoor reception will then take place at a nearby park. Please wear masks and maintain social distancing between household groups at the church, cemetery, and park.

Dean Lent died peacefully at home on April 8, 2020. Dean was born on March 27, 1926 in Easton, Minnesota. His family included parents, Frank and Helen (Traynor) Lent, and two older sisters: Ellen Ann (Lent) Madetzke (Gust), and Lucille (Lent) McIntire (Mick). Dean and his wife, Mary (Streit) Lent, were married in Mary's hometown, Ipswich, SD, on September 17, 1949. The couple joyfully celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary last September on a great and memorable occasion.

Dean graduated from Rochester Central High School in 1944 and enjoyed keeping in touch with classmates. He served in the US Navy during WW II and was deployed on the supply ship USS Randall in the South Pacific, including at the Battle of Iwo Jima. He joined the Rochester Police Department, where he served for more than 28 years as a patrolman, juvenile officer, and captain of the traffic department. He later sold real estate with the Hexum realty group. Dean treasured his family and friends and enjoyed interacting with a variety of people. His interests included being a Cub Scout Pack Master, where activities like "Going on a Bear Hunt" made for friendly, exciting meetings. Other interests included volunteer work in Haiti, helping others, building and fixing things ("heavy-duty Dean"), camping, and fishing. Dean and Mary liked to travel and were Winter Texans for 20 years. Dean enjoyed playing bridge, listening to music, including big bands and The Three Tenors, completing crossword puzzles, and telling stories. Dean is survived by his wife Mary (Streit) Lent and four children: Judy (Lent) Aubrecht (Tom), Steve and Julie (Harnack) Lent, Dick Lent, and Tim Lent. In addition, he is survived by 11 much-loved grandchildren and many cherished nieces and nephews.

During this time of community need, memorials are preferred to the Rochester Channel One Food Shelf: www.helpingfeedpeople.org/ programs/food-shelf/ or a charity of your choice.