Dean Nelson

Dean (DJ) came into this world with a hunting rifle in one hand and a fishing rod in the other. These passions took root in Jamestown and continued to grow throughout his life.

A Celebration of Dean's Life will be held at 11:00 AM, May 2, 2025, at House of Prayer Lutheran Church, 1470 S Washington St, Bismarck.

He graduated from Bismarck High School, then attended Bismarck State College and University of North Dakota. Timing was not on his side when he started the aviation program at UND... it was the fall of 2001, when unnecessary aircraft were grounded.

Since the classroom was his least favorite place to learn, Dean gladly came back to Bismarck to continue his education from the outdoors. Among the jobs he held, working timber in the Colorado Rockies and guiding hunters were definite highlights of his adult life.

While health issues and his losing battle with alcohol shortened our time with him, we thank God for loaning DJ to us the years we had. Memories of his sharp wit, that wicked smart brain, and our deep love for him continue.

Dean is survived by his mom, Alice; sisters, Tamera (Brandon Plath) and Kelli King; plus aunts, uncle and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his dad, Terry; grandparents, Hector and Stella Kjelland and Robert and Harriet Nelson; an uncle and an aunt.