John Deno, Jr.

John Deno, Jr.  passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, Sunday, June 21, 2020 at Johnson Memorial Health Services in Dawson at the age of 89.

Private graveside services will be held.  Arrangements are with Hanson & Dahl Funeral Home in Dawson.

John Joseph Deno was born in Ironwood, MI on May 10, 1931 to John Joseph Sr. and Evelyn (Dreier) Deno.  John had a twin sister Elaine who died when she was 10 months old.  He grew up in Minneapolis, graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1949 and went on to attend St. Olaf College graduating in 1954 with teaching degrees in biology and chemistry.  John’s first teaching job was in Dawson and during his first year he was hospitalized with pneumonia and one day a nurse named Effie came into his room and John said it was love at first sight.  They had a one year courtship and were married June 3, 1956 at the First Presbyterian Church in Dawson.  He taught one year in Morris, MN and then joined the faculty at Robbinsdale Junior High and High School where he taught for 33 years.

In 1991 John and Effie retired and moved back to Dawson and purchased the brick house south of the river, Effie’s childhood home.  John’s interests were restoring the home with Harris Ronning, reading, walking the dog, and enjoying large family gatherings.  After the flood of 1997, John and Effie purchased the Givens house across from Grace Lutheran Church.   They were loyal Presbyterian Church members, strong supporters of the Dawson - Boyd Arts Association, and Blackjacks basketball fans for over 25 years.

John is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Effie; children: David (Susan) Deno and his ex-wife Martha, Nancy Deno, and William (Darcy) Deno; grandchildren: Bryan (Mindy) Deno, Kevin Deno, Julianne Deno, Christopher (Whitney) Gohman, Michelle (Koby) Lursen, Karly Deno, Drake Deno; great-grandchildren: Owen Lursen, Sophia Deno, James Deno, and Elliyah Jane Gohman; a sister-in-law, Dee; a nephew, James; as well as by extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Robert; twin sister, Elaine; brother, Stanley and nephew, Joseph.

He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, teacher and friend.  Blessed be his memory.