Dean William Buchanan, age 93, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 14, 2025, at the Cook Hospital from pancreatic cancer. He was born on February 16, 1932 in Wheatland, Iowa where he grew up. After graduation, Dean enlisted in the Army where he served for two years. After the Army, Dean followed his big brother, Don, to the University of Iowa. His love for the outdoors led to a degree in Forestry with a minor in Zoology. After graduation, he took a job with the U.S. Forest Service in the Superior National Forest, working in the Tofte, Cook, and Duluth offices. His fondest memory while working for the Forest Service was being part of the group chosen to escort Lynda Bird Johnson into the BWCA in 1964.

Dean met Sandi while visiting Cook, MN in 1965 and they were married in April of 1966. Dean & Sandi settled in Duluth until 1972 when Dean left the Forest Service, and they moved to Cook. They purchased the Cook Building Center and made their home in Cook.

Living in Northern Minnesota suited Dean well because of his connection to the outdoors. After he started taking trips north to Canada, he knew he wanted to spend more time there. In 1981, Dean and Sandi, along with two other couples, purchased a fly-in fishing camp in Ontario, Canada, which led to his nickname, Dean "BuCanada." In 1984, he got his pilot's license and purchased a plane with two friends. Flying meant less travel time and allowed him to spend even more time in Canada. Dean loved sharing memories of Smooth Rock Camp including stories about lost fishermen, boat motors falling to the bottom of the lake, and encounters with wildlife. His favorite story to share was rescuing friends who were stranded when their airplane went through the ice.

Dean enjoyed spending time in the kitchen creating dishes by adding "a little of this" and "a little of that" and almost always, it turned out delicious. Family favorites include his blueberry pancakes, smoked fish, homemade soups, and canned lake trout to name a few. Dean was a talented carpenter and built their cabin on Lake Vermilion, which turned into their home, and a cabin in Iowa, along with multiple buildings at the resort in Canada. Dean looked forward to his visits to Iowa which included harvesting morel mushrooms in the spring, deer hunting in December, and spending time with family and friends. He enjoyed building furniture and carving canes and walking sticks out of diamond willow. He loved to grow a garden every year and sit on the back deck to watch it grow. The last couple of years, he needed help planting his garden and had no problem letting you know if you were not doing it correctly (and you usually were not). Dean loved to be overlooking the water whether it was Lake Vermilion, Canada, Iowa, or Florida, and could often be found on the deck watching birds or telling a story while smoking a cigar and drinking a brandy Manhattan. Dean and Sandi traveled to many wonderful locations but found a little piece of heaven in Cedar Key, Florida, where they wintered for over 20 years.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents Albert & Beulah, and his brothers, Dave and Don.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Sandi; his children: Jodi (Jim) Smith, Chad Buchanan, and Rae Anne (Jim) Zupetz; grandchildren: Natalie, McKenzie, Austin, Michael, Bo, Jack, Mitchell, and Jacie; great granddaughter Charlotte, and another great-grandchild arriving in July. Dean was never without a dog and is also survived by his beloved golden lab, Ellie.

The family would like to thank Essentia Health St. Mary's Hospice East Range for their excellent care and compassion while assisting in Dean's care at home.

A Celebration of Life is planned for Saturday, May 31st at Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook. There will be a 10:00 a.m. visitation followed by an 11:00 a.m. service. A luncheon following the service will be held at the Cook Community Center.

Memorials, if so desired, may be made to Essentia Health St. Mary's Hospice East Range or the Lake Vermilion Fire Brigade.