Thank you for your question and photos for Extension Master Gardeners.  Have you noticed your dead grass can pull up easily or can be rolled up like a carpet? If yes, then you have Japanese beetle grub damage. The grubs feed on the roots of grass and damage large areas of turf. This might be why your grass can be pulled up easily. This Extension fact sheet shows pictures of grub damage, which looks similar to your picture:

Japanese beetles in yards and gardens | UMN Extension

The above link will also give you instructions to treat the white grubs in various circumstances and time of the year.

Another possibility is vole damage from the winter. You will see raised turf trails of the voles tunneling in the turf. I don't see obvious trails in your lawn but thought I'd provide this information for you. There are also various ways to handle vole damage in your yard which can be found in this article:

https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/japanese-beetles

There are several ways to renovate or repair your lawn. This article will help you with repair and damage to your lawn:

Renovating a lawn for quality and sustainability | UMN Extension

I hope this information helps you and best of luck in recovering your lawn.

Hi Emma - if your grass is wiping away after you brush it with your foot, that tells me that the roots of the grass have been destroyed by grubs. Best of luck in treating your lawn and improving it.