Dean Klegstad age 74 of Middle River, MN passed away after an arduous, two-plus year battle

with Pancreatic Cancer on Tuesday, November 20th 2018 at his home, surrounded by his loving

family.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, November 30th 2018 at St. Joseph's

Catholic Church in Middle River, MN with Father Bob Schreiner presiding. Interment will take

place at 11:00 AM on Saturday, December 1st 2018 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church Cemetery

in Middle River.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM, with a 7:00 PM Prayer Service on Thursday,

November 29th 2018 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Middle River. Visitation will also take

place one hour prior to the funeral service on Friday at the church.

Dean Ellsworth Klegstad was born October 17th 1944, in Milwaukee, WI and was the eldest son

of Leonard and Helen (Rue) Klegstad. In 1946 the family moved to a farm east of Karlstad, MN.

Dean was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Karlstad and in 1962 graduated from Karlstad

High School.

He joined the United States Army in June of 1962. Dean served in Guam and was stationed in

Korea in 1963 where he served as a heavy equipment operator in a combat engineer battalion.

He was later stationed at Fort Dix, NJ until his honorable discharge in June of 1965.

After his service, Dean worked for a short time at American Crystal Sugar in Drayton, ND. In the

spring of 1966 he worked on a farm east of Kennedy, MN owned by Raymond and Arlen

Erickson, where the owners had a 1946 Ford pickup which was not running well. Dean

completely overhauled the engine and it ran like new again. This pickup is now in the museum

at Lake Bronson, MN. It marked the beginning of a long career in heavy diesel engine mechanics.

Throughout the years Dean worked for Fillipi Truck Lines in Warren, MN, Mindak Trucks in

Crookston, MN, and Falls Diesel in Thief River Falls, MN. For a short time he owned and

operated his own repair shop called Deano's Repair in Karlstad. From the late 80's until 2006 he

worked for Interstate Detroit Diesel in both Fargo and Grand Forks, ND. Most recently, he was

employed for the last 12 years at Valley Truck in East Grand Forks, MN only reluctantly retiring

due to illness in April of 2018.

On December 14th 1968, Dean was united in marriage to Susan Anderson of Middle River and

a daughter Jana, was born. Susan passed away on November 22, 1973, and Jana

came to Middle River to be raised by her grandparents.

On May 5th 1979, Dean was married to Beverly Nelson of Middle River and a daughter, Trudy,

was born.

He was a member of the Hans Lian American Legion in Middle River, MN. He was a lifetime

member of the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion in Rollag, MN. He was also

actively involved with the Northland Threshing Bee in Strathcona, MN and had served for

several years as President and Vice President. He loved collecting and restoring old tractors but

his most important love, however, was his family.

Survivors include his wife Beverly, Middle River, MN; Daughters: Jana (Jason) Wagner,

Moorhead, MN & Trudy (Timothy) Schunck, Grand Forks, ND; Grandchildren: Kolton Wagner &

Karlie Wagner; Brother: Marvin Klegstad; Sisters: Alois (Lloyd) Lehse & Karen Christenson;

Brother-in-laws: Dale (Lois) Anderson, Robert (Jani) Nelson, Kenneth (Celka) Nelson, Ronald

(Lynn) Nelson & Jerry (Terri) Nelson; Sister-in-laws: Shirley (Frank) Shockley & Renae Nelson;

and several nephews & nieces, cousins and many other relatives and friends.

Preceded in death by first wife Susan; parents Leonard & Helen Klegstad; brothers Owen &

Ronald Klegstad.

Condolences may be sent to www.johnsonfuneralservice