Dean Henrikson, age 80, of East Bethel died August 30, 2010 at his home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, September 2, 2010at Strike Funeral Home – Cambridge Chapel with Rev. James McChesney officiating. A visitation will be held from 5:00 – 8:00 P.M. on Wednesday, September 1st at Strike Funeral Home – Cambridge Chapel and also 1 hour prior to the service on Thursday. Interment will be in Oak Leaf Cemetery in East Bethel.
Dean Allen Henrikson was born June 24, 1930 in Bethel Township, Minnesota, where he lived his 80 years, to August and Clara (Howe) Henrikson (one of the original homesteaders of East Bethel). He was the third of five children, Ellen, Dorothy, Dean, Ila and Ed. Dean attended school at Lone Elm, a one room school, through eighth grade. He did farm work to help support the family. Then at age 16 he went to work with his dad at Stone Quarry in Northeast Minneapolis and later worked for DW Onans. He met and married Mary, his wife of 59 years, on October 14, 1950. Together they raised six children, Ken, Peggy, Gus, Doug, John and Kermit. Dean joined the Carpenters Union in 1955 and was a proud member of Local 1644 for 55 years. He retired at age 62.
As a young man and throughout his life he loved trapping, hunting, fishing and gardening. If fishing wasn’t his true love, it was gardening with his wife, Mary, which he did until the day he died. His big garden was his pride and joy. Joking, having fun and laughs with family and friends came easy for Dean and it was a big part of his life. Always moving around traveling and talking with friends and new people he would meet was what he really loved. Dean was like a kid himself playing with his kids, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Dean A. Henrikson passed away peacefully at home Aug. 30, 2010 at the age of 80 years, 2 months and 6 days and will be greatly missed and never forgotten. He was preceded in death by his parents, August & Clara; son, August (Gus); sister, Ellen Baker; and brother, Ed Henrikson.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Mary; daughter, Peggy (David) Proue of Brooklyn Park; sons, Kenny (Nancy) Henrikson of East Bethel, Douglas, John and Kermit Henrikson all of Isanti; sisters, Dorothy Jones and Ila Baker, both of Isanti; seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends.