Dean Alton Bahr, age 79, of Paynesville, passed away at his home on December 22nd surrounded by his five daughters. His funeral service will be held at Paynesville Lutheran Church on Saturday, December 28th at 11 am. Visitation will be held at Paynesville Lutheran Church Friday, December 27th from 4 to 7 p.m. and one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Private family interment will take place at a later date in Salem Cemetery near Paynesville. Arrangements were made with Johnson Funeral Home of Paynesville.
Dean was born on July 26th, 1945 to Ralph and Ida (Valen) Bahr in Elk River, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Crown, Minnesota. After he graduated from high school, Dean attended Wadena Technical School for electrical line worker training. He worked for NSP/Xcel Energy and retired in 2003 after 33 years of service. He proudly served on the Paynesville Fire Dept from 1972 to 1998 and as Fire Chief from 1990 to 1998. Dean was a member of Alcoholics Anonymous and proudly sober for 45 years.
Dean had a quiet welcoming kindness that impacted so many lives. His faith was strong and he believed in service and the goodness of people. He was an active member of Paynesville Lutheran Church and spent time sharing his many talents. He loved his neighbor as himself. He demonstrated his faith as a good neighbor, friend and great father. Dean fought the good fight and will be missed dearly.
He is survived by his significant other, Sue Drager of Paynesville; daughters, Deb Bahr-Helgen (Lee, Evan and Luke Helgen) of Shoreview, Denise Bahr of Richmond, Michelle Bahr (Robert Hostetler, Olivia and Noah Drontle) of Kimball, Lisa Bahr (Russ Pregler), of Kimball, and Julie (Chris) Thorstenson (Tyler and Gavin Warnberg) of Cold Spring; great-grandchild Anastasia; siblings, Barb Priddy of Andover, Lloyd (Kathy) Bahr of Cambridge, and Suzanne McColley of Andover.
He was preceded in death by his granddaughters, Kayla Krupke and Tiffany (Krupke) Gnirk; and parents, Ralph and Ida Bahr.
Dean was born on July 26th, 1945 to Ralph and Ida (Valen) Bahr in Elk River, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Crown, Minnesota. After he graduated from high school, Dean attended Wadena Technical School for electrical line worker training. He worked for NSP/Xcel Energy and retired in 2003 after 33 years of service. He proudly served on the Paynesville Fire Dept from 1972 to 1998 and as Fire Chief from 1990 to 1998. Dean was a member of Alcoholics Anonymous and proudly sober for 45 years.
Dean had a quiet welcoming kindness that impacted so many lives. His faith was strong and he believed in service and the goodness of people. He was an active member of Paynesville Lutheran Church and spent time sharing his many talents. He loved his neighbor as himself. He demonstrated his faith as a good neighbor, friend and great father. Dean fought the good fight and will be missed dearly.
He is survived by his significant other, Sue Drager of Paynesville; daughters, Deb Bahr-Helgen (Lee, Evan and Luke Helgen) of Shoreview, Denise Bahr of Richmond, Michelle Bahr (Robert Hostetler, Olivia and Noah Drontle) of Kimball, Lisa Bahr (Russ Pregler), of Kimball, and Julie (Chris) Thorstenson (Tyler and Gavin Warnberg) of Cold Spring; great-grandchild Anastasia; siblings, Barb Priddy of Andover, Lloyd (Kathy) Bahr of Cambridge, and Suzanne McColley of Andover.
He was preceded in death by his granddaughters, Kayla Krupke and Tiffany (Krupke) Gnirk; and parents, Ralph and Ida Bahr.