Deane Cloose, 91, of Howard Lake, MN, died Thursday, July 16, 2026 at Good Samaritan Home, Howard Lake, MN.
Funeral Services will be at 11:00 am on Friday, July 24, 2026, at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, MN. Visitation will be from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, and interment will be at the St. James Lutheran Cemetery immediately following the service. Please join the family for a luncheon at St. James Lutheran Church following the interment.
Deane was born in Bemidji, MN, on March 9, 1935, to his parents, Rudolph & Alice Cloose of Pinewood, MN where he grew up on their dairy farm and attended a one-room schoolhouse taught by his mother, Alice. When he wasn’t helping with chores, he enjoyed playing baseball and riding the one bicycle he shared with his siblings.
He worked at the Pine River Good Samaritan Home when he met Shirley, his wife of 59 years, while she was visiting her grandpa. As Shirley said, “sparks began to fly,” and they were soon wed at the Good Samaritan Home’s chapel. They were beloved by the staff and residents who celebrated their marriage.
Shortly after getting married, the couple moved to Howard Lake, MN and started their family. They had two children, Greg and Deanna. The family were active members at St. James Lutheran Church, enjoyed camping trips and Twin’s games together. Deane worked at Cokato Good Samaritan Home doing janitorial work. He also held other jobs, Rockford Bakery where he was a baker, Young America as a packer and side jobs, painting, and selling Shaklee products.
He worked for many years making cabinets at Dura Supreme Cabinetry and retired to fish and watch the Minnesota Twins. Regardless of their record, Deane was an avid fan, and listening to the radio or watching the game on TV was a favorite pastime throughout his life. One of his greatest joys in retirement came with the birth of his granddaughter’s.
In April of 2025, Deane and Shirley moved into the Good Samaritan Home of Howard Lake, MN. While Deane’s time there was short he really enjoyed living there, loved the staff and made some new friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Joanne (Cloose) Jernigan, and brothers Dale and Richard (Dick). He is survived by his wife, Shirley (Petrie) Cloose; his brothers, Dennis (Bonnie) Cloose and Donald (Elvera) Cloose; his children, Gregory Cloose (Laura) and Deanna Cloose; and two granddaughters, Emma and Lillie.
Jul
22