Dean C. Nelson

Dean C. Nelson (81) of Mounds View, MN, passed away on August 3, 2024. He was born on September 18, 1942 to Francis (Hannah) and Raymond Nelson. He graduated from Fergus Falls High School and the University of Minnesota, with a degree in English education.

After serving in the U.S. Army as a crew chief on a CH-47 Chinook from 1965 through 1968, he began his 32 year teaching career culminating in his retirement from Mounds View High School in 2002. He was a coach of cross country skiing and girls track and field, and known for his creative teaching style. Dean enjoyed a lifelong passion for travel and adventure, including spending a summer on an archeology dig in Israel, completing several marathons, the Birkebeiner ski race, and multiple bicycle, motorcycle and canoeing trips. He was actively involved in his Vietnam Veterans Association, organizing reunions and serving as secretary for over 20 years. Dean spent much of retirement years restoring his vintage plane, which he completed earlier this year.

Dean is preceded in death by his parents and many, much loved, cats. He is survived by his sisters Janice Anderson (Deerwood, MN), Judy Boraas (St. Cloud, MN), his nephews Michael Johnson (St. Paul, MN), Kirk Boraas (St. Cloud, MN), and his niece Dana Boraas (Sioux Falls, SD).

At his request, no public service will be held. Dean's ashes will be laid to rest besides his parents in Fergus Falls, MN.