Dean Estabrooks 1938 – 2023

Dean Lewis Estabrooks passed away February 17, 2023, he was 84 years young. Funeral Services were held on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at Karvonen Funeral Home with Pastor Neal Malcore officiating. Congregational Hymns were provided by Deb Nelson. Special Music was provided by Ray Siebert. A Poem of Remembrance was provided by Deana Malone. Pallbearers were Jeff Sams, Mike Sams, James Weaver, Chuck Becker, Calvin Lehner, Todd Meech, and Glen Parks. Honorary Pallbearers were Donnie Meech, Edwin Sowers, Dennis Gordon, Jim Olson, and Raymond Pederson. Dean was laid to rest at Hubbard Cemetery, Hubbard, Minnesota.
Dean was born at home on April 27, 1938, in Huntersville Township to Robert Elward and Verol Exuna (Blanchard) Estabrooks. He was welcomed by his sister Melva Estabrooks. Dean was three months old when the family moved to his forever home Northeast of Nimrod in July 1938, and a few years later, his brother, Roger Estabrooks was born.
Dean attended Country school near Nimrod at District 21-1 and Sebeka High School where he graduated in 1956.
After high school, he found work on a farm outside of Hillsboro, North Dakota.
On August 6, 1960 Dean and Frances Kay (Gordon) Estabrooks were married at the Oylen Alliance Church.
Dean had many jobs in his life including working on several North Dakota missile bases, Road Construction as a heavy equipment operator, sawmilling, working in the woods, and construction. Dean built two family homes and many buildings in his lifetime, but his biggest loves were driving truck, raising beef cattle, and haying.
Dean started his driving career in the early 1970s at Northstar Transport. He earned multiple safe driving awards and taught many friends and family members to drive truck, including his wife.
Dean retired from trucking and farming in 2011 and sold his cattle to his son to continue the tradition.
In the last several years, Dean enjoyed life on the family farm, riding his four wheeler, checking cows and haying with his son and brother every summer. He spent most summer nights sitting under the Chinese elm tree, planted by his Great Grandmother Sadie on the family farm.
Dean’s famous last words….“I was raised on this farm, I will live my life on this farm, and I’ll leave this farm feet first!”
Dean was preceded in death by his Grandparents Clarence and Goldie (Rhinard) Estabrooks, Frank and Katie (Hills) Blanchard; parents Bob and Verol (Blanchard) Estabrooks, sister Melva (Estabrooks) Tischler, son Robert (Robbie) Dean Estabrooks.
Dean is survived by his wife Frances Kay (Gordon) Estabrooks of 62 ½ years; children: Susan (Scott) Anderson, Avis (Sheldon) Estabrooks, Tim (Krissy) Estabrooks, Sara (Philip) Tischler; sibling: Roger (Ann) Estabrooks; grandchildren: Katie (Dana) Uselman, Harley Sue Anderson, Cody Robert (Heather) Milbradt, Sierra (Ty) Fluit, Sam Bell, Cody Lynn (John) Bell-Warmbold, Katie (Eric) Bell, Josey (Megan) Milbradt, Jess Milbradt, and Ashley (Brice) Hermson; great-grandchildren: Garrett and Nolan Uselman, Devin Milbradt; Rory and Cohen Milbradt; Landon Nelson; Cohen Christiansen, Beckett Messer, and Kasen Hermsen; many nieces, nephews, dear friends and neighbors.
Arrangements provided by Karvonen Funeral & Cremation Service of Wadena, Minnesota. Please visit www.karvonenfuneralhome.com to leave memorials and condolences on Dean’s Tribute Wall.3-1