Dean L. Rindy

FENNIMORE – Dean L. Rindy, age 63, passed away peacefully on Wednesday October 1, 2025, at home surrounded by his family. He was born on March 13, 1962, the eighth child of Richard and Helen (Spears) Rindy. He was united in marriage to Michelle Ellis on August 13, 1983, at the Fennimore United Methodist Church.

Dean was born in Mount Vernon but spent his years growing up in Cuba City, where he graduated from Cuba City High School in 1980. A proud member of the FFA, Dean’s love for the land and animals carried over to his hobby farm, which he was very proud of.  After high school, Dean began his 37-year career with Rayovac, where he wore many hats over the years – from mixing materials to handling security to working as a facilities manager and maintaining safety as a health and safety officer.

Dean worked hard but it was never the center of his world, his family was. He loved cheering on his girls at countless games and events and could always be counted on to show up, loud and proud. Dean gave back to his community as a trained first responder, volunteering at Rayovac when they needed it. He was a faithful blood donor, rarely missing a blood drive right up until his cancer diagnosis.

Dean had a zest for life and a deep appreciation for the simple things: early mornings on the farm, time spent hunting, and endless camping adventures with his family. He was a Harley-Davidson enthusiast who loved nothing more than hitting the open road on his favorite bike, Goldie, with Michelle riding behind him. Dean loved to ride so much, that he would ride in any weather. One year he clocked a ride for every month of the year!

Always quick with a joke, and sometimes a prank, Dean was the kind of guy who could make you laugh even when you didn’t feel like it. He’d give you the shirt off his back and maybe flex his muscles a bit while he did it. In his younger days, he was an avid weightlifter always chasing a new personal record, finally stopping when he was able to bench 400 pounds. Dean’s family and friends never quite knew what he was going to say or do next, and that’s exactly what Dean loved: keeping everybody on their toes. Life was never boring with him. Every moment was filled with laughter, love and a little bit of mischief.

Dean is survived by his wife of 42 years, Michelle Rindy; four daughters: Krysta (Tim) Peterson of Livingston, Heather (Luis) Fardin of Baraboo, Jaimie (Dustin) Kittleson of Dodgeville, and Kacey (David) Schick of Dickeyville; and 10 grandchildren who affectionately called him Papa: Kendall (Trevor) Neuroth, and Reese and Kayden Peterson, Sophia, Oliver, and Samuel Fardin, Noah and Andrew Kittleson, and Mya and Michaela Schick. He is further survived by his siblings: Roberta (Jim) Rosick, MaryEllen Hannemann, Evelyn (Chuck) Sawyer, Sylvia (Brian) Peckham, Jim (Nikki) Rindy, Bill (Dee) Rindy, Chris (Lisa) Rindy, Mike (Ronda) Rindy, John Rindy, Chuck (Terrie) Rindy, Dan (Heather) Rindy, and Sara (Jeff) Bechen; mother in-law Rochelle Lindow; sisters in-law Robin (Randy) Streeter and Stephanie (Tony) Needham; as well as many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Richard and Helen Rindy; father in-law Darrell Ellis; nephews Dean Rindy and Johnathon Rindy; brother Dick Rindy; sister Helen Rindy; great niece Garrett Ubersox, great nephew James Wyatt Rindy; and brother in-law Jeffrey Ellis.