Deane Kent

He was born December 4, 1949, in Hancock, Michigan, the son of Constance (LaBelle) and Kenneth Kent. Deane graduated from L’Anse High School in 1968. Deane was an excellent athlete and as a sophomore, he was part of the 1966 Class C State Championship basketball team and a member of the L’Anse High School Hall of Fame 1,000-point club, scoring 1,164 points, “before there was a three-point line,” he often reminded us! He later excelled on the basketball court at Lake Superior State College, while also completing his bachelor’s degree. Deane was also a member of the 1,000-point club at Lake State, scoring 1,018 points in his three-year career.

Deane married Mary Danielson in Newberry, Michigan on April 26, 1975. Deane and Mary made their first home in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, where they welcomed their three children, Taneille, JoDeane, and Logan. They would later relocate to Shepherd, Michigan, as Deane became the Tribal Administrator for the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe in Mt. Pleasant. He retired from the tribe in 2010, after 30 plus years of service for various tribal entities. During his tenure, he forged many new programs and policies for the tribe; he also valued the many friendships that he made along the way.

Deane was a loving and devoted father to his three children, but most importantly, he was an amazing papa to his eight grandchildren and his great grandson. They were the true light in his life. Papa was always good for a wink, a joke, or a witty comment, but most of all, he showed and told them how much he loved them.

Deane was proud of his UP heritage. He spent many summers at Big Lake and loved time at deer camps on Drummond Island, Big Lake and The Blue Ribbon Lodge in Arnold, where he cultivated many great friendships and even better stories. Deane was an avid Green Bay Packer fan; he shared and passed on that love with his son, grandsons and granddaughters. On game day, you could always find him dressed in his Packer garb and cheering for his Pack.

Deane will be deeply missed by those who love him. He was an amazing brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend.

He is survived by his wife Mary, daughters Taneille (Ryan) Hohlbein and JoDeane (Andy) Turnwald, his son Logan (Wendy) Kent, his grandchildren Avery (Brittany) Hohlbein, Sydney and Riley Hohlbein, Isaac and Audrey Turnwald, Jake, Kyleigh, and Lily Methner, and his great grandson, Liam Hohlbein. He is also survived by his brothers Roger (Sharon) Kent and Donald Kent, sister Cheryl (Roland) Swartz; in-laws Bob (Kim) Danielson and Danette Danielson, along with many nieces and nephews.

Deane was predeceased by his parents Connie and Kenny, brother Terrence Kent, special cousin Bobby Kent, in-laws Bob and Eva Danielson, and Mike Danielson and nephew Scott Kent.

Please join us for a celebration of life on January 25, 2025, at Buck’s Run in Mt. Pleasant from 2-6, with a celebratory ceremony at 4:00.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to L’Anse High School Athletic Department, 201 N. 4th Street, L’Anse, MI 49946, in memory of Deane Kent.

We would also like to thank the amazing health teams at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit; we are grateful for the care he received.

You may view Deane’s obituary online and send a condolence to the family at www.clarkfuneralchapel.com.