Dean Leon Marx

Just one of his many superpowers, in addition to his ability to charm, volunteer, love, lead, crunch numbers, coach teams, and be a goofball.

Dean Leon Marx was the middle child of three born to Francis Sr and Ida Mae Marx on September 30, 1948 in Little Falls, NY, just west of Albany, NY. Baseball and getting into shenanigans with his older brother was the game and continued to be as the family moved south to Tenafly, NJ where their little sister came along.

Muhlenberg College is just a few hours from where Dean grew up. There he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and, at a mutual friend’s party, met the love of his life, Linda Marx, attending Kutztown University of Pennsylvania just down the road.

It wasn’t long after Dean graduated college that he started a career-long job with 3M that brought them to St. Louis, Los Angeles, Woodbury (MN), Brussels (Belgium), and back to Woodbury. Along the way they had two children, Brian and Michelle. At that point, Linda retired from teaching full time to focus on the kids as Dean continued climbing the corporate ladder.

As a devoted family man, Dean only wanted the best his kids—it’s what motivated him. For years, he coached them in baseball, tennis, soccer and basketball, and was beloved by his teams for his tough love, resilience, and humor. He gained the nickname, ‘Dean the Machine’ because he rarely missed a free throw. The competition interested him, but camaraderie and overcoming adversity together was what drove him

After retiring, Dean and Linda sought the warm confines of Palm Coast, FL so they could play golf and tennis year round, but it was Dean’s passion for riding motorcycles that changed his life and those who loved him, forever.

Dean died twice in his lifetime.

On March 5, 2009, his motorcycle slipped on sand rounding a corner and he wasn’t wearing a helmet. He stopped breathing for a significant period of time and sustained head injuries that altered his memory and personality indefinitely.

Life for Dean, Linda and family post-accident was not easy, but he ushered in and enjoyed four grandkids, making memories with his growing family for 17 more years. ‘Pop Pop’ was always up for a game of bean bag toss, and the grandkids made for great ‘bag runners’. His funny bone persisted and his gentle demeanor made him a favorite with his caregivers.

And now he’s at peace.

Dean is survived by children Brian (Libby), Michelle (Brent), grandchildren Emerson, Dylan, Luna, Ben, his brother Frank, sister Michelle (Bill DeSiena), and other loving family, niece Kelly Gardiner and nephew Ryan Gardiner.

A celebration of his life will be held on Tuesday, May 19 from 1-3pm at Wulff Woodbury Funeral Home, 2195 Woodlane Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities (https://boysandgirls.org/give/) where Dean volunteered his time.