Dean Otto Myran, age 49, of Rosemount, Minn., died at 5:50 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2006, at his home in Rosemount, Minn., after a courageous battle with cancer. He left this world, surrounded by his family and friends. Viewing and prayers were held at the Islamic Center of Columbia Heights, Minn., at 11:30 a.m., on Friday, Feb. 24, 2006, and burial was at 1:30 p.m. at Pleasant View Memorial Gardens, at Highway 13 and Portland Avenue, Burnsville, Minn.

He is survived by his wife Khadija Moukrim and their daughters Bellkeyce, Khansaa, Saraa and Asmaa; his sister JoAnn and children Lucy and Andy of Burnsville/Lakeville; his brother Don (Lisa) and children Ariel (Bob) Goettel and Keri Myran (fianc Seth Stadheim,) their daughter Vayda, all of Albert Lea, along with many loving and supportive aunts, uncles and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and cousin Mark Iverson.

He is also survived by his wife’s family: her mother Fatima of Casablanca, brother Driss (Malika) and children Mehdi and Aya of Fridley; brother Mohamed (Fatima) and daughters Salma and Rim of Casablanca; brother Said (Saida) and sons Ishahel and Yahya of Casablanca; sister Zohra (Ismahel) and sons Riyan and Ilyas of Paris; sister Mina (Majid Krkarimi) and daughter Laila of Rosemount; and sister Asmaa (Khallid) of Casablanca and predeceased by father-in-law Ahmed Moukrim.

Dean Otto Myran was born on Dec. 4, 1956, in Naeve Hospital, Albert Lea, the son of Joe and Marie (Madsen) Myran.

He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, rural Myrtle, Minn. He attended Glenville schools in Glenville and graduated from Glenville High School in 1975. Being the oldest child in the family, he was the first to join the Myran Family dance band at age 12, along with his parents, Joe and Marie, and later joined by his sister JoAnn and brother Don. Together The Myran Family recorded two long-play record albums in 1973 and 1976. Dean played the Hammond organ and trombone, but was an especially good tuba player and contributed his talents for six years while also working on the 120-acre family dairy farm until high school graduation. Dean also played with The Grafton Boys, Mel’s Polka Band and his Uncle Paul Madsen, along with various others.

He served in the U. S. Marine Corp from 1975 to 1979, received commendations as a sharpshooter and also performed in the U.S. Marine Band for Presidents Ford, Carter and also Clinton on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy in 1994. He attended Austin Community College graduating with an Associates Degree with Honor and also attended Mankato State University, for approximately two years, taking computer science courses. He was employed by Wilson’s in Albert Lea, and various other places, until becoming employed by the State of Minnesota in 1988 where he’s worked the last 18 years in the road maintenance department, advancing to construction inspector, which included large bridge projects.

He was united in marriage to Khadija Moukrim of Casablanca, Morocco on May 31, 1992, at the Islamic Center of Minnesota in Fridley, Minn. They lived in several areas of the Twin Cities before purchasing their present home in Rosemount in 2003.

Dean was known for his big heart, generosity, willingness to help others and his light-hearted sense of humor with that goofy laugh. He also was an avid online reader of Discover, National Geographic, PC Magazine and Popular Science and always amazed us with his knowledge, which he enjoyed sharing.

His heroes were not part of the popular culture, but rather, those whose contribution made a difference to all: President Lincoln for keeping the country together during the civil war, Jonas Salk for the polio vaccine, Bill Gates for Microsoft. Dean enjoyed tinkering in his garage with his tool collection and eating Godfather’s taco pizza. But his greatest love and enjoyment was his family and his role as a husband and father, especially in taking his four young daughters out on fun outings. Dean’s life was so precious to us; his memory we’ll forever treasure.

Memorials may be given to his wife Khadija Moukrim for the girls’ future expenses.