Dean Syverson

Dean H. Syverson was born November 13, 1932 in Kindred, ND, the son of Oscar and Clara (Jenzer) Syverson, the second youngest of seven boys. He was baptized at Kindred Lutheran Church and at the young age of 5, his family moved to Ulen, MN. Dean was confirmed at Atlanta Lutheran Church, rural Ulen and he graduated from Ulen High School with the class of 1950. He graduated with an Agricultural degree at NDAC in Fargo, ND, where he was member of the Farmhouse Fraternity. In 1955, Dean entered the United States Army and served for two years followed by eight years in the National Guard. On April 10, 1955, Dean was united in marriage to Bonnie Syverson at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ulen. The couple had two sons, Dwight and DeanO. Dean’s employment as an Ag teacher took them to Linton, ND, then Karlstad, MN, followed by three years in Fosston, MN, before joining Land O’Lakes in Thief River Falls, MN, in the Ag Service Division in 1965. Dean retired in 1986 and they moved from Thief River Falls to Park Rapids, MN, in 1989. Dean and Bonnie continued to live in Park Rapids until recently when they moved to their hometown of Ulen, where he was cared for by his family and Hospice of the Red River Valley until he died of pancreatic cancer on January 24, 2012 at the age of 79. Dean was an adventurer with an independent spirit. He was always up for trying something new and there wasn’t a sport he wouldn’t attempt! Whether it was scuba diving, rollerblading, motorcycling, boating, canoeing, skiing (both water and snow) camping, or hiking, Dean thoroughly enjoyed the outdoors. Dean also enjoyed card playing. He and Bonnie could often be found either walking or biking on the Heartland Trail in Park Rapids. He had also earned his private pilot’s license and spent quite a bit of time traveling whether it was flying, RVing, cruising or his independent journeys. Dean had traveled to every state in the United States and six of the seven continents. Dean and Bonnie also wintered in Texas for many years. Dean lived life to the fullest and was very content with all the adventures and time he had with family and friends. As a 20+ year member of Calvary Lutheran Church in Park Rapids, Dean enjoyed Men’s Fellowship. Dean loved to serve. Over the years, he was involved with the building of a Lutheran Parsonage in Wales, AK and keeping up the grounds of the Atlanta Church Cemetery in Ulen. His volunteer work included the American Red Cross Disaster Care, DNR and the Hubbard County Food Shelf. He was also a good neighbor to have when it came to snow blowing or running a chainsaw. Dean’s parting will leave a void for many but he will be remembered for the smile on his face and the twinkle in his eye. Dean leaves his wife of 56 years, Bonnie of Park Rapids, MN; sons, Dwight of Aberdeen, SD and DeanO (Andrea) of Black Forest, CO; a grandson, Aaron of Aberdeen; brothers: Shelvin (Gladys), Lowell and Wallace, both of Minneapolis, MN and John (Diane) of TX; a sister-in-law, Penny Syverson of WI; a brother-in-law, Bob (Thelma) Bromander of Ulen, MN; special nephew, Jon (Esther) Bromander of Detroit Lakes, MN and several additional nieces, nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Clinton and Aldus and two sisters-in-law, Betty Syverson and Vi Syverson. A Memorial Service celebrating his life was held on Monday, January 30th at 10:30 a.m. in Calvary Lutheran Church, Park Rapids. A Time of Gathering was held one hour prior to services at the church on Monday. Inurnment was in West Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery, Ulen, at a later date.

Dean Syverson

November 13, 1932 - January 24, 2012