Dean Nelson

Dean E. Nelson, age 77 of Cottage Grove, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on April 3, 2015 following his battle with Alzheimer's.

Memorial service will be 11 am Friday, April 10, 2015 at Kok Funeral Home, 7676 – 80th Street S., Cottage Grove with visitation one hour prior. Memorials directed to Memory Care of Regina Senior Living.

Dean Elwyn Nelson was born November 8, 1937 in St. Cloud, Minnesota to Harry and Alma (Niemann) Nelson. He graduated from Long Prairie High School in 1955 and began working at Love's Farm in Mandan, North Dakota. Dean was united in marriage to Patricia Palmer on June 23, 1959 and they made their home in Mandan where he worked for the Standard Oil Refinery. He received his mechanical engineering degree from North Dakota State University in 1970 and took a job as a chemical engineer with Amoco in Texas. In 1973 they returned to Minnesota to live in Cottage Grove. Dean had a successful career with 3M where he worked in a variety of departments including: adhesives, duplicating products, film and emission controls until his retirement in 2000.

Dean enjoyed following the stock market, going dancing and had an unquenchable desire for knowledge and learning. He and Pat enjoyed their travels to Germany, Holland and the Virgin Islands.

Dean is survived by his wife Patricia; sons, Mike (Connie) Nelson and Dale (Raymond Satalal) Nelson; grandchildren, Kent, Nicole (Jeff), Ashlee, Alyssa (Perry) and Leah; great granddaughter, Daisy; daughter-in-law, Deanna Fleischaker; sisters-in-law, Jerise Nelson and Jackie Stanton; niece Kali and nephew Mark. He is preceded in death by son, Brian Nelson; sister, Mae Hansen and brother, Donald Nelson.