Dean Kosen

Dean Rodney Kosen, age 61, of Cook, MN passed away suddenly on February 27, 2026. Dean was born December 15, 1964 at Mount Sinai Hospital in Minneapolis, MN. He graduated from Stillwater Highschool in 1983. Dean later took an exam to see if he would qualify for become an air traffic controller. He scored 100% and shortly after went to Oklahoma to start his training. Dean proudly served out nation's skies from 1987 to 2012 at Chicago and Minneapolis centers. He then fulfilled his lifelong dream of farming on his paternal grandparent's farmstead with this Uncle Bruce in Woodlake , MN as well as maple syrup production at his maternal grandparent's farmstead in Almelund, MN.Dean was a kind man with a very big heart and dedicated his life to serving friends, family, and strangers. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and traveling the great outdoors of northern Minnesota. He was a passionate fan of Lynyrd Skynyrd, loved playing bingo, setting up pyrotechnics, and playing board games and card games. In recent years he devoted his free time to constructing a beautiful home on Lake Vermilion. Every chance that Dean had, he would spend time with his grandchildren and treated any child like one of his own grandchildren. Despite his commitments, Dean was always there to lend a helping hand fixing equipment, untangling finish lines, baiting hooks, constructing and grooming snowmobile trails, sawing and stacking firewood, lifting heavy furniture or with his keen eyes discovering the missing puzzle piece.Dean is survived by his daughter Katelyn (Jared) Severson, his son Dylan (Samantha) Kosen, Dean was the proud "Papa" to five grand children Chloe, Amelia, Keats, Dexter, and Kielyn along with many foster grandchildren. He is also survived by his wife Colleen Kosen, his parents Donald and Donna Kosen of Lakeland, MN, and his sisters Diane (Mark) Johnson and Dawn (Michael) Plunkett.Dean is being cremated by the Cremation Society of Minnesota. On Saturday March 14, 2026 there will be a funeral at St. Peter's Lutheran Church at 880 Neil Ave. S, Afton, MN 55001. There will be a visitation from 9am-12pm, service and luncheon to follow. To honor Dean's memory please come dressed in a flannel shirt and jeans if you are able.