Dean Simonson

Dean Simonson, age 63, of Grand Rapids, MN and formerly of Fosston, MN, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, May 5th, at his home in Grand Rapids. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 11th, at Kingo Lutheran Church in Fosston with the Rev. John Ragan officiating. Interment will be in Kingo Lutheran Cemetery. Family will greet friends for one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the church. Arrangements are with the Carlin Funeral Home of Fosston and messages of condolence may be sent at www.carlinfuneral.com.Dean Norman Simonson was born on April 21, 1954 in Fosston, Minnesota to parents Donald and Mary Ann Hedman Simonson. He grew up in McIntosh and Fosston and graduated from Fosston High School in 1972. He then attended the vocational technical college in Moorhead for diesel mechanics. He moved back to Fosston and was married to Colleen Ekeberg on August 28, 1976. Dean operated a radiator repair shop at his home near Fosston until 1985.In 1985, Dean moved to Thief River Falls where he worked at Falls Diesel for many years. He relocated to Grand Rapids in 2009 to be near his children and grandchildren. Dean loved playing harmonica, fishing, camping, hunting, doing Donald Duck voice, and tinkering in the garage helping his kids with vehicle problems but his favorite job was being "the supervisor". He is survived by his children, Adam Simonson of Grand Rapids, MN, Malaka Simonson (fiance, Neil Trast) of Coleraine, MN, and Shannon Pape of Coleraine, MN; grandchildren, Morgan, Mason, Kieler, Ryker, Gavin, and Kinsley; three siblings, Mark (Sue) Simonson of Fosston, Sharon (Chuck) Odegaard of Thief River Falls, MN, and Marilyn (Dale) Branstner of Erskine, MN. Many nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.He was preceded in death by his parents; nephew, Joe Simonson; and sister-in-law, Pam Simonson.