Dean Alan Little passed away on January 21, 2026, at Fairview Ridges Hospital in Burnsville, Minnesota. His heart simply couldn't carry him any longer and he was surrounded by loving family as he passed.

Dean was born in Waterloo, Iowa, as the oldest of two boys. After graduating from high school, he moved to the Twin Cities and attended the University of Minnesota where he graduated with a bachelor's degree. His love of the University of Minnesota continued throughout his whole life and he especially loved watching hockey and football - taking in games on campus when he could.

Dean spent much of his professional career working in retail. The last few years he worked for a couple national companies helping prepare tax returns for clients. He lived for the Minnesota State Fair, working as a ticket gate supervisor. Every Labor Day he would set his countdown clock to the start of the next great Minnesota Get Together.

Dean and the love of his life, Barb, met when they worked together at Target. Eventually they moved to Concord Township, Ohio, for nine years. Dean's time in Ohio began his lifelong love of all things Cleveland - most importantly the sports teams, especially the Indians and the Browns. Family and a new job brought Dean and Barb back to the Twin Cities and this remained their home for the rest of his life. They enjoyed 41 beautiful years together.

Dean loved to travel and was a great tour guide, always finding unique spots of interest wherever he went. He was a treasure trove of trivia facts and also loved working with his hands. He was handy at all sorts of skills but really enjoyed working with wood. You wouldn't have known it if you met him on the street, but he was a closet cat lover.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Carlton and Caroline Little, in-laws Eugene and Bev Elder, brother-in-law Mike Olson, nephew Jason Olson, and niece Sarah Barth. He is survived by his wife Barb Little, brother Don (Sherry) Little, nieces Jennie (Cedric) Hohnstadt and Monica (Tim) Bornhoff, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Mike (Kim) Elder, Julie Olson, Mark (Dawn) Elder, and Mary Little, nieces and nephews Valerie (Jacob) Nielsen, Mandy (Robby) Wiens, Josh (Saphira) Elder, Hannah Broman, Laura (Mike) Frakes, and Dylan Barth along with many great-nieces, and great-nephews.

A celebration of life will be held summer of 2026, details to follow. Memorials and donations can be sent in Dean's honor to 360 Communities in Burnsville, Minnesota.