Dean Arthur Shafer

Age 85 of Stillwater, MN, passed away peacefully on February 4th, 2025 due to complications of Parkinson’s disease. 

He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Lynn A (Stevens) Shafer, and his sister Susan (Shafer) Peterson of Duluth, MN. Dean grew up in Duluth, attended Duluth East public schools, and graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1963 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He applied his Engineering skills to a distinguished 35+ year career at 3M, culminating in authoring a book on Automation Manufacturing.

He was married to his best friend, Lynn, for 59 yrs. She adored him for his integrity, work ethic, love of family and sense of adventure. Together they raised three children, who also deeply respected these traits in him. We are forever grateful for the love and pragmatic life lessons he instilled in us.

In retirement years, they loved to travel and spend winters in Florida with dear friends. Throughout his career and in “retirement” Dean applied his same work ethic to his numerous hobbies, most of which involved time in the outdoors camping or hunting. Dean also enjoyed his many years serving in the Boy Scouts of America including Scout Master, farming, wood-working, painting, black smithing, crafting old carriages and sleighs on their hobby farm. In addition to his own hobbies, he loyally accompanied Lynn in all of her community events; despite needing 3 hours of alone time to every one hour of Lynn’s socializing, as their equation went. 

He is survived by son Dan Shafer and his wife, Kelly; daughter Laura Meyer and her husband Chris; daughter Lisa Shafer and her husband Tony Goldenstein. He was a devoted grandfather to: Joshua (Isabel) and Mason Shafer; Lilian, Sam, and George Meyer; Elsa and Lila Shafer-Goldenstein.

A visitation will be held at Bradshaw Funeral Home in Stillwater on Tuesday, February 11th from 4-5pm, with a Celebration of Life service at 5pm. A reception will follow. 

In lieu of flowers, and in honor of Dean’s love of hunting, please donate to Ruffed Grouse Society - MN Chapter and toast with a perfectly muddled Old-Fashioned.