Lonnie "Dean" Durand, 82

Dean Durand, 82, passed away on Monday, July 17, 2023, at The Retreat in Polson. Dean was born to Paul and Arlene Durand on June 13, 1941. He grew up in Issaquah, Wash., and graduated in 1959. He married Judy and they later divorced.

Dean was lured to the Mission Valley by his wife, Jo. Though native to Montana, Jo had been working in Seattle at the time with her mom, Dolores Clatterbuck, and, through lucky happenstance, ran into Dean while washing clothes at the local laundromat. They moved to Polson in 1971 and he worked for Mars and Mark Rolfson.

While he started his career working in the shipyards in Seattle, Dean knew building was his true passion. Having learned the trait from his dad, he worked hard to further develop his skills and became well known for his honesty, integrity and strong work ethic. He ran a tight ship and enjoyed the challenge that came with more complicated builds. There was no problem he couldn’t resolve, and he always had full confidence in his ability to create dwellings that were meant to last.

He ultimately founded Durand Construction in 1979, which proudly built many homes, banks, restaurants, and remodeled historical buildings. His commercial construction, specializing in Montana Department of Transportation buildings, span the greater Mission Valley and state of Montana. He retired in 2011.

Dean discovered trap shooting in 1998 and always said the best people around were trap shooters. He loved fishing, hunting, camping, riding horses and spending time with his friends and family. They had lots of good memories.

He loved his bird hunting black labs, playing cribbage with anybody that would play, tinkering with his 1969 El Camino and seeing his grandchildren grow. Even after his retirement was cut short by a battle with cancer, Dean continued to strive to find joy through the company of his family and friends.

He was a member of the Masons and Shriners organizations and was a member of the Mission Valley Elks Foundation for 49 years.

He is survived by his wife, Jo; four kids, Michael (Laurie) of Kentucky, Cindy (Alex) of Kentucky, Kevin (Steph) of Lynnwood, Wash., and Aleta (Gabe) of Polson; eight grandchildren, Chad, Amy, Sabrina, Taylor (Austin), Yzabel, Coral (Issac), Eden and Jude.

The family would like to express their gratitude for the care Dean received at The Retreat in his final days, as well as for the support received from the Elks Lodge.

Dean’s Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023, at 2 p.m. at the Elks Lodge in Polson. Messages of condolences may be shared with the family online at www.lakefuneralhomeandcremation.com. Arrangements are under the care of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.

PULL BANG.