Dennis P. Stein, age 76, of Jordan, died peacefully at home on Sunday, October 6, 2019. Denny was born on May 24, 1943 in Minneapolis to Wayne C. and Mary Gwen (Cronin) Stein. He grew up in Minneapolis and graduated from Patrick Henry High School. He was an insurance agent all his life, working first for Wassau Insurance, before starting his own agency, Policy Planners Inc. When he sold his agency, he joined Corp 4 Ins. Agency, from which he happily retired at age 62, "and never looked back".
Denny and Shelly Myers married on November 16, 1991 in Chanhassen. The couple started their married life in Mound, where they enjoyed lake life, boating and fishing with his children and grandchildren; Denny had many memorable fishing trips. They moved to a Jordan farm in 2004, where he found his passion. Upon this move, Denny said, "I thought I was retired and instead, I was repurposed." He fully embraced the country lifestyle. The farm gave him purpose and the physical activity needed to improve his health. He hated leaving home and thoroughly enjoyed the chores in the barn caring for the boarded horses and lawn work. The move also allowed him to pursue his prime passion of woodworking; his garage was his workshop and he made rocking horses and a cradle for his grandchildren, cabinets for the house, and left many unfinished projects. His grandchildren loved spending time on the farm. They put the sparkle in his eye and some affectionately knew him as "Papa Skinny".
Denny had a wonderful sense of humor and used it to handle all of life's difficult and not so difficult times. He had a joke for everyone and was known to start every meeting with a joke. He was an avid reader throughout his life, especially mystery novels. He loved John Wayne and could be seen sporting a hat to emulate his hero.
Denny is survived by his loving wife, Shelly, of Jordan; children, Kelly (Mike) Turgeon of Chanhassen, Tammy (Jay) Duggan of Golden Valley, Tracy Stein of Brooklyn, NY, Scott (Amy) Stein of New Port Richey, FL; brother, Terry (Lin) Stein of Minnetonka; sister, Susan (Scott) Bolin of Maple Grove; grandchildren, Zach & Lauren Duggan, Jennifer & Daniel Turgeon. He is preceded in death by his parents.
Celebration of Life Service will be held October 25, 2019 from 11:00 - 2:00 pm at the Braemar Golf Course (6364 John-Harris Drive, Edina, MN 55439). Casual/jean attire requested.
