Dean Kaplan, age 46, of Garden Grove, California, formerly of Ellendale, MN passed away on May 29, 2012, in California after a long battle with cancer.
He was born March 2, 1966, in Owatonna to Lloyd and Jacqueline (Roeker) Kaplan, formerly of Ellendale, now of Owatonna. He graduated from Ellendale-Geneva High School in 1984 and from Southwest State University. He was a big sports fan, especially the Minnesota Gopher teams; enjoyed watching his children compete in swimming and gymnastics, and also followed horse racing. Prior to his death he was employed by Direct TV in California. He married his wife, May, on November 23, 1996. She survives as well as a daughter, Eva, age 11, and a son, Ethan, age 9.
He is also survived by his parents Lloyd and Jackie Kaplan of Owatonna, a sister, Gail Kaplan, of Roseville, Minnesota, and his maternal grandmother, Marie Roeker of Owatonna.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Herman Roeker, and paternal grandparents, Frank and Esther (Busho) Kaplan.
Services will be private with a celebration of Dean's life held at a later date. Locally, friends may call at the home of Lloyd and Jackie Kaplan, 514 Ashley Lane SE, Owatonna on Saturday, June 23, 2012, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. for a "Time of Fellowship, Sharing and Remembrance."