John Joseph Dero

Mass of Christian Burial for John “Johnny” Dero, 72, of Minneota, will be Saturday, January 28, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Edward Catholic Church in Minneota. Visitation will be Friday from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the church, with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service. A private family interment will follow at St. Edward Catholic Cemetery. A funeral lunch will be served at St. Edward Church following the service.

John passed away on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, at the Prairie Home Hospice Lockwood House in Marshall.

John Joseph Dero was born on September 1, 1950, in Marshall, to Lawrence and Marie (Szarzynski) Dero. He was raised in Minneota, attended St. Edward Catholic School grades 1-8, and high school in Minneota, graduating in 1969. John then enrolled in higher education at the Pipestone Vocational Technical College, specializing in brick laying and concrete work.

During their high school years, John met Lois Hoffman from St. Leo, and they became lifetime sweethearts. John married Lois on May 6, 1972, at St. Leo Catholic Church in St. Leo. Together they made their home in Minneota where they would raise their family. The couple was blessed with two wonderful children, Melissa and Adam. John and Lois were married for 50 years before his passing.

After John received his diploma from Pipestone Vo-Tech, he worked for Gunderson Construction for several years, then went to Bladholm Construction, then Bladholm/Sussner in Marshall for a number of years. Later John started his own business, Dero Construction, in his earlier years concentrating in house and home remodeling. Through the years John gained quite a reputation as the “Fireplace King” in Southwest Minnesota. John was quite the handyman.

John loved the outdoors and spending it with his family and friends. He made it a family tradition every year celebrating Father’s Day in Webster, SD, and Fourth of July on Lake Miltona, MN. These memories were shared by many, and the family will continue to carry on these traditions. Every year, he grew a huge garden at his shop property just north of town. He was quite generous in giving fruits and vegetables to family and friends. John and his son Adam were adamant with their hunting and fishing, often going west to the Rocky Mountains for elk and mule deer.

John is survived by his wife Lois; his two children Melissa (Todd) of Eyota, MN, and Adam (Donna) of Eden Prairie, MN; grandchildren Noah (Marilin and great-grandchild Adaline), Ryan, Landon, Sydney, Shae, Ian, and Brynn; siblings Larry Dero, Vicki (Tom) Bot, Pat (Paulette) Dero, Mary Joan Hennen, Tom Dero, Charlie Dero, Jeanette (Al) Brewers, Paul (Eldora) Dero, Ann Dero, Laura Sterling, Julie (Daryl) Gillund; Godchild Mike Bot; in-laws Jim (Connie) Hoffman, Tricia (John Runda) McMahon, Rick (Anna) Hoffman; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

John was preceded in death by his parents Lawrence and Marie Dero, father-in-law Norbert Hoffman and mother-in-law Lucille Hoffman, brothers-in-law Ken McMahon, Eugene Hoffman and John Hennen, and sisters-in-law Mary Lou Hoffman and Wanda Dero.

You may have slipped out of our net this time, but we will hook up with you again. Rest in peace Johnny Whopper.