Dean Aakre

Dean Elliott Aakre was born on March 11, 1955 to Raymond and Norma (Anderson) Aakre, Hawley, MN. He was baptized by Reverend Maynard Stokka and confirmed by Reverend Milo Gudim at Rollag Lutheran Church.

Dean was the fourth of six children, Nancy, Dwight, Phyllis, Dean, Dale, and Jan. He worked side by side with his Dad helping out with various farming duties, including seeding and harvesting small grains, baling hay, fixing fence, and milking cows.

He attended school in Barnesville, graduating in the class of 1973. He participated in wrestling, track, and football and was a member of FFA and student council. He was active in Luther League and a life-long member of the Parke 4-H Club.

He married Pamela Jean Pollert, of Litchville, ND on April 25, 1981 in Trinity Lutheran Church, Griswold, rural Litchville.

He attended the University of Minnesota – Crookston, and North Dakota State University earning a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture education, and a Masters of Education in adult education. He taught agriculture at Lisbon (ND) and Jamestown (ND) High School. He worked for the Floor to Ceiling Store in Fargo before joining NDSU Extension for a 39-year career, most of which was in the state 4-H office as activity coordinator and an Extension specialist. He was recognized by his peers with numerous awards for his leadership and commitment to the 4-H program. He retired in 2022 as Extension Emeritus.

His faith, education, baseball, and patience are a few characteristics that define Dean. Using every opportunity to impact others, he taught Sunday School for many years, served several terms as Rollag Church council president, GPR council president and Congregational Life coordinator. A disciple himself, he enjoyed learning and teaching others about Christ’s 12 disciples.

Dean recalls a favorite memory of playing softball during lunchtime at Bible School and Sunday afternoons behind Rollag Church. It is during this time he began playing third base and this is the approximate location which will be his final resting place. He coached his children’s teams when they played in the Town and Country Softball League. Dean was able to live out his own Big League dream participating in the Minnesota Twins Fantasy Camp, led by players from his favorite team.

He savored the taste of each raspberry and bite of lemon meringue pie, tended to his flower gardens, loved to talk baseball, and took pride in his family.

Dean was diagnosed with metastatic esophageal cancer in July 2025 and fought a courageous battle until he was called to his heavenly home on January 26, 2026.

Dean is survived by his wife of 44 years, Pam; children Nicholas Dean (Abigail), Kelsey Jean (Cory Buchholz), Elizabeth Grace (Jordan Hallman), and Charles Raymond (Jade); grandchildren Colton, Caylix, Coyer, and Kenley Buchholz, and Ezekiel Aakre; siblings Dwight (Karen), Phyllis, Dale, and Jan; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Nancy, and brother-in-law Larry Reiser.

Visitation will be from 4-7 PM, Friday, January 30, 2026 at Rollag Lutheran Church with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM.  Visitation will continue from 10-11 am on Saturday.  

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM, Saturday, January 31, 2026 at Rollag Lutheran Church with Rev. Keith Zeh officiating.  Burial will follow in the Rollag Lutheran Cemetery.  

Memorials are preferred to Rollag Lutheran Church, North Dakota 4-H Foundation and the Lake Region Healthcare Cancer Center.