Dean Nelson, 57, of Wirt, MN passed away on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at Aspirus St Lukes Hospital, Duluth, MN surrounded by loved ones.

Funeral service for Dean will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, June 16, 2024, at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Strandquist, MN with Reverend Amber Arlien officiating. Burial will be held at Zion Cemetery rural Strandquist. Visitation for Dean will be held one hour prior to the service at the church on Sunday.

Celebration of life will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at the Wirt Town Hall in Wirt, MN.

Dean Alan Nelson was born October 31, 1966, in Karlstad, MN son to Gayhard and Irene (Klegstad) Nelson. He was raised in Strandquist and attended the Strandquist school, graduating in the class of 1985. He traveled to California where he worked on a road crew with his friends. He came back to Strandquist and farmed for Hanson's of Hallock, later going to work for Peterson Farms of Lancaster.

On May 14, 1988, Dean was united in marriage to Sherry Helderman at Zion Lutheran Church near Strandquist. To this union three children were born, Sarah, Jordan, and Shawna. The couple lived in Strandquist for a year before moving to Lancaster, MN. In 1998 the family moved to Wirt, MN where he worked for Northern Lights Truck and Trailer for 19 years. The last four years he worked for RK Construction in Talmoon, MN.

Dean was a kind and quiet soul that would do anything for anyone. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, wood working and tinkering in his garage. Most of all, he loved and cherished the time spent with family.

Dean is survived by his wife of 36 years, Sherry of Wirt, MN, children Sarah (Lance Kossow) Nelson of Deer River, MN, Jordan (Rikki) Nelson of Wirt, MN, and Shawna (Keahi) Nelson of Haleiwa, HI; grandchildren Brooklyn Kossow, Zayne Kossow, Makinlee Parks; siblings Brion Nelson, Carol (Danny) DuPre, Randy (Kathy) Nelson, Brenda (Ben) Kasprowicz, Donald Nelson, Myron (DeDe) Nelson along with many nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Dean is preceded in death by his parents Gayhard and Irene nelson. Grandparents Herman and Mildred Nelson, Emil and Ulma Christine Klegstad, and extended family.

Condolences may be sent at johnsonfuneralservice.com