Irving "Dean" Sathre

Irving "Dean" Nordeen Sathre, age 83, of Randolph, passed away peacefully at his home with family by his side on Monday, February 2, 2026, following a brief battle with cancer. He was born on June 3, 1942, in Faribault, to Nordeen and Pearl (Jacobson) Sathre. They moved to Randolph in 1947, and Dean graduated from Randolph High School in 1961. He built his home in 1965, which he cherished for the rest of his life.

Dean worked with his dad helping with garbage collection in the Randolph area. In 1962, he went to work at Armour's in South Saint Paul, where he worked until the plant closed in 1979. He also worked for Meisinger Construction, the Farmington Dairy Plant, and at Farmers Union Co-op in Randolph. He helped install the Randolph city water lines and then worked part-time for the City of Randolph Water Department for 20+ years. In 1999, he worked at Midwest of Cannon Falls, where he enjoyed working until his retirement on April 1, 2004.

Dean had a great love for the Randolph community. He served 30 years on the Randolph Fire Department, and in 1968, he and a few firemen started the annual chicken barbecue, which, after 57 years, is still going strong.

He married the love of his life, Cindy (Leese) Richardson, on August 5, 1995. He loved spending time with his family, especially his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed woodworking, and his pride was making chairs for each of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved going to his cousin's cabin in Federal Dam for many years. He enjoyed going on side-by-side rides and visiting family or just taking a ride. He loved making lefse and rosettes every year just to give them to others. His biggest joy was playing Santa at many places and seeing the kids' faces.

He is survived by his wife, Cindy; children: Lisa (Quin) Podritz, Beth (Nick) Lindenfelser, Sandi (Dave) Kapsner, and Travas Richardson; 14 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings: Betty (Ron) Taubman, Bob (Durene) Sathre, Barb (Jerry) Ozmun, and Patty (Bruce) Gustafson; in-laws: Linda Gramstad, Tonia (Terry) Johnston, Vickie St. John, Lola (Ken) Lawrence, Carol Grieger, and Mike Leese; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his great-granddaughter, Elle; his parents; and his parents-in-law, William and LaDonna Leese.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, February 13 at 12:00 p.m., with visitation from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Randolph. Interment will follow at Lakeside Cemetery in Randolph. The active urn bearer will be Travas Richardson; honorary bearers will be the Randolph-Hampton Firemen.