Dean Gallant

On April 23, 2014 Dean Gallant passed away peacefully in his sleep after 91 years of doing what he loved most. Living life and puttering around fixing things.

Dean was born August 5, 1922 in Barrows, MN the son of Edward and Elsie (Korupp) Gallant. As a young boy Dean spent a lot of his time exploring the woods and enjoying the beauty of the area. Following high school he was a millworker, a baker and then enlisted into the US Army in 1942 where he served in the Pacific Theater with Troop B, 7th Cavalry as a Technician 5th Grade. Serving as an Infantryman in the battles: Bismarck, Archipelago, and New Guinea he received the Bronze Star Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Service Ribbon, Good Conduct medal and 5 Overseas Service Bars. He returned home in 1946 to Brainerd, MN.

After receiving many letters supporting him while in the war in 1947 Dean married Joyce Bredenberg spending 67 years together. Dean had various occupations such as working for Boeing, owning Dean’s Auto Mart, being a co-owner of the Used Car Corral and he was a self employed contactor where he bought, sold and set up modular and mobile homes through Dean’s Mobile Home Sales and Service. During this time they had 3 beautiful children.

Dean and Joyce ended their working careers together managing Stoney Brook South Mobile Home Park. His favorite activity was working. To him work was fun and he was always repairing something. Dean also enjoyed fishing and hunting with anyone who would go with him. He loved the outdoors.

Throughout their lives they moved many times. Their retirement home was located on a beautiful lot where Dean could feed all the animals of which the deer were his favorite.

Dean will be greatly missed by his wife Joyce; sons Gary (Claire) Gallant, of Menasha, WI, and Robbi (Jo Anne Bandemer) Gallant of Pillager; daughter Merri Jo(Emery “Bud” Stone deceased) Gallant, of Frederick, CO; Grandchildren Brent (Diala) Gallant, Nikkohl Gallant, Drew Gallant, Kirk Gallant, Jessica ( Emmette Smith) Gallant, Kelley Rae, Stephanie Reil and Jodi (Kevin) Meyer; Great grandchildren, Estela and Sofia Gallant – Ben, Jake and Mylan Reid – Autumn, Summer Meyer and Adam Bandemer.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Stan, Merle and Garner; and sister, Donna.

Services will be held at 2:30 pm, Saturday May 3, 2014 at The Good Samaritan Society-Woodland Chapel on 200 Buffalo Hills with Pastor Kristin Oltmann officiating. Family and friends are welcome to gather at 2:00 pm. After the service all are invited to join the family in the dinning room for refreshments as we honor Dean’s life.

Interment will be at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery near Camp Ripley Monday, May 5th at 11:00.