Dean Suffrins

Dean Suffrins, 89, of Pickwick, MN, passed away peacefully at St. Anne’s on October 26, 2025. He was born September 10, 1936, in Winona, MN to the late Tillman and Eleanor (Albrecht) Suffrins. Dean graduated from Winona Senior High School in 1954. On January 15, 1955, he married the love of his life, Beverly (Frahm) Suffrins at St. Matthews Evangelical Lutheran Church in Winona. Together, Dean and Beverly raised their five children in Pickwick. Dean was a life-long member of St. Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Pickwick. Dean’s first employment was driving truck for Fred Fakler. In 1959, he borrowed money to buy his first school bus. Over the next fifty years, Dean became the owner and operator of the very successful Suffrins Bus Service and Pickwick Coach Businesses. Through the years, many of Dean’s employees were from local families, many of whom still share numerous, humerous, stories of their time working for Dean.

Dean was an avid sports fan, he loved baseball, softball, and football. He especially loved cheering for his two favorite teams, the Twins and the Vikings. His children still remember growing up listening to the Twins games, playing constantly on the radio all summer long. Dean not only loved listening and watching ball games, he also loved playing softball, so much so, that he built his own “Field of Dreams” on his land in Pickwick, where decades of ballgames and tournaments have created cherished memories for many, over the years. Dean spent countless hours mowing and maintaining this field, for his own, and for the community’s enjoyment.

He was also a passionate outdoor sportsman, he hunted, fished, and snowmobiled. Much of his early years were spent skating on and swimming in the Pickwick Mill Pond. Later, he shared his enjoyment of spending time on the pond with his children by teaching them to skate, swim, and even to dive off the gates. Dean will also be remembered for his enjoyment of spending time on his two farms, which he purchased later in life, to fulfill his life-long dream of owning his own farm. One of his favorite pastimes was attending innumerable auctions to buy equipment for the farms.

Dean sponsored and coached Pickwick Little League for many years. He was one of the original founders and member of the Pickwick Mill, Inc. and was very proud of the community’s efforts to restore the historic flour mill. He also donated the land for, and helped start the Pickwick Fire and Rescue Department. Many will remember how much he enjoyed the annual pie auction fundraisers at the Fire Department, and also that he was always one of the top bidders every year.

Dean will be remembered as a very generous, intelligent man, with a great sense of humor. He spent his entire life in the town he loved, Pickwick, where some of his happiest times were spent sharing a “cold one” with his many Pickwick friends and family at the Pickwick Inn. His greatest joy in life, however, was his family, and he especially loved attending his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events.

Dean will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Dean is survived by his children: Deborah (Denny) Allen of Pickwick, Robert (Jeanne) Suffrins of Pickwick, Cindi (Gary) Reissner of Prescott, WI, Dawn Suffrins of Pickwick, and William (Tara) Suffrins of Pickwick; grandchildren: B.J. (Jess) Allen, Autumn Suffrins, Alex Suffrins, Owen Suffrins, Sara (Luke) Drazkowski of Rochester; great-grandchildren: Leighton Drazkowski and Lukuss (Emily) Mason and family; sisters-in-law: Kathy Suffrins of Rochester, Jean Donovan of Onalaska, WI, Carol Zimmerman of La Crescent, Marci Frahm of Dodge, WI; brother-in-law, Dave Zimmerman of La Crescent; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly; parents, Tillman and Eleanor (Albrecht) Suffrins; brother, Tom Suffrins; grandson, Bryant Allen; brothers-in-law, Delmar Frahm, Allan Frahm, Kenneth Frahm, and Tom Donovan; and sisters-in-law, Esther and Elaine Frahm.

Dean’s family would like to extend their thanks to the staff at St. Anne’s Nursing Home, Winona for the care he received over the past few years.

A funeral service will be held Friday, November 7, 2025 at 11am St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Pickwick with Rev. Jason Threlkeld officiating. Visitation will be Thursday, November 6, at Hoff Celebration of Life Center - Winona from 4-7pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at the Pickwick Cemetery. There will be a light lunch served at the church following the service.