Dean Pickett Hartle, 87, of Owatonna, died Monday, November 12, 2018 at St. Mary's Mayo Clinic in Rochester. He was born in Owatonna on July 19, 1931, to Herbert and Helen (Pickett) Hartle. He was an only child, but grew up surrounded by many cousins, aunts, & uncles, and his love of extended family was strong. Dean attended country school at District 11 (later district 2090) in Havana Township and graduated from Owatonna High School in 1949. He attended Hamline University in St. Paul before transferring to the University of Minnesota - Minneapolis, graduating in 1953 with a degree in agricultural economics. Dean was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho (a professional agricultural fraternity) at the U of M. He was very proud of his U of M education and kept in contact with teachers and friends for many years. Dean met his wife Marsha Werhan at the University of MN. They were married on July 26, 1952 at Epworth Methodist Church in Minneapolis. They lived briefly in Maple Plain, MN where Marsha taught school while Dean finished his education at the U of M. They returned to the family farm east of Owatonna to farm and raise livestock with Dean's dad Herb. Dean later became a Farm Bureau insurance agent and eventually was an independent agent along with Ralph Carpenter in Owatonna. Dean and Marsha continued to live on the family farm, which allowed them to raise 6 children and eventually take up a love from Dean's dad Herb, growing and hybridizing Asiatic lilies. Their lily business, Hartle-Gilman Gardens, kept Dean connected to the soil and on a tractor! Dean was strongly attached to Owatonna, Steele County, and MN. He was an active member of the United Methodist Church, the Masonic Lodge along with numerous appendant bodies, the Owatonna Area Zurah Shrine Club, Order of the Eastern Star, Steele County Farm Bureau, Steele County Exchange Club, The Elks Club, Owatonna Sports Boosters Club, Owatonna High School PTA, and AFS. Politics and government were one of Dean's passions that date back to his high school days when he was part of the MN youth in government program. Dean's uncle, John A. Hartle - a legislator and Speaker of the House in MN probably helped increase Dean's desire to be active in government and politics. Dean was very active in Steele County Republican politics from the 60's-90's. Dean was elected to the MN House of Representatives and represented District 30A form 1985 to 1992. It was his joy to serve the people of his district. To the end, Dean was always ready to talk politics - local, state, and national! He is survived by wife, Marsha; children; Leslea (Steve) Partridge of Owatonna, Allyson (Bob Cattanach) Hartle of St. Paul, Dan (Kathy Tally) Hartle of Kansas City, Brad Hartle of Owatonna, Joel (Maria) Hartle of Rosemount, and Meredith (Greg) Kilby of Madison, Alabama; grandchildren, Jon (Natalie) Partridge, Matt (Cassie) Partridge, Sam and Heidi Hartle, Ben Hakes, Ashley, Christopher, and David Hartle, and Michael and Lorelyn Kilby; 5 great-grandchildren; and many more family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter-in-law, Jaci Hartle. Visitation will be on Sunday, November 25, 2018 from 3-6pm at the United Methodist Church in Owatonna. A Masonic Service will be held at 6pm at the church. Services will be held at United Methodist Church in Owatonna on Monday November 26, 2018 at 1pm with The Reverend Loren Olson officiating. Friends may greet the family 1 hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to United Methodist Church, Shiners Hospital for Children-Twin Cities, or the donor's choice. Visitation: 11/25/2018 15:00 11/25/2018 18:00 Service: and one hour prior to the service on Monday. 11/26/2018 13:00