Dean Sheldon Lalone

Dean Sheldon Lalone, age 91, of Sebeka, Minnesota passed away peacefully with his wife by his side on Friday, June 5, 2020 at Goldpine Assisted Living in Bemidji, Minnesota. Dean was born to Lloyd and Kathryn (Berg) Lalone at Bemidji Hospital on November 9, 1928. Dean attended Bemidji Public Schools. While in high school he played in the marching and concert band. Dean also played in a dance band around the Bemidji area. After graduating from high school, Dean enlisted in the Navy and served from June 1946 to October 1948 on the aircraft carrier USS Shangri-La CVA-38 in the New Zealand/Australian theater. Following an honorable discharge he returned to Bemidji and enrolled in the Bemidji Teachers College studying music and earning a Bachelor of Science Degree, graduating 1952. He met Anna Marie Bryduck from Williams, MN while attending college. They were married on October 7, 1950 at the United Methodist Church in Bemidji. After Dean graduated from college, they moved to Magnolia, MN. He taught music for 1 ½ years and then they moved to Sebeka, MN. He received a Masters of Music from MacPhail College in 1966. He taught instrumental music and choir at Sebeka Public School for 34 years. During his tenure, his marching bands received numerous accolades from parades and band contests around the state. He retired in 1987 and continued his involvement in the school system by substituting and school bus driving for the next 9 years. Dean taught piano, guitar & accordion lessons in the community as well as played in the Wadena City Community Band. He played saxophone and clarinet with the dance band “Captain and the Crew” and also sang with the Park Rapids Barbershop Quartet. Dean was an active member in Sebeka with the United Methodist Church, American Legion Post 456, AARP, the 55 Alive Driving Class, the Sebeka Chamber of Commerce, Annual Bike Rodeo and Gun Safety Classes. He was a member of the National Education Association, Minnesota Music Education Association and a 50 year member with the Grand Lodge of Minnesota of the Masonic Fraternity. He was voted Outstanding Senior Citizen in 2000 and received a Presidential Award for serving his community and our nation from President George Bush in 2002. Dean was a kind and patient man who loved to “tinker in the woodshop” and enjoy the great outdoors. He loved hunting and fishing with his buddies and children. He spent many summers camping with his wife, children and grandchildren. He and Anna enjoyed traveling around the United States in their camper and time spent at their Trillium Lake lot near Hackensack, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents. Dean is survived by his wife Anna of 69 years, his sons David (Kate) Lalone of Bemidji, Michael (Kerry) Lalone of Ham Lake, Robert (Diana) Lalone of Dassel and his daughters Carol (Graig) Gilbertson of Bemidji and Peggy (Barry) Wickham of Merrifield, 11 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Memorial Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, June 26, 2020 at Sebeka United Methodist Church of Sebeka with visitation two hours prior to the service at the church. Inurnment services will be held at Greenwood Cemetery, Bemidji at a later date.