Dean Monson

Memorial services for Dean Monson of Chokio, MN will be held Monday, December 22, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Chokio, MN will pastoral minister Abby Weick officiating. Visitation will be held Sunday, December 21, 2025 from 3 to 7 p.m., with a prayer service at 6:30 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Chokio. Burial will be at a later date.

Dean Charles Monson, was born September 6, 1952 in Wheaton, Minnesota to Luverne and Rachel Monson. Dean grew up in Chokio, where he attended and graduated from the Chokio-Alberta School in 1970. He went to the University of Crookston, graduating with a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Mgmt. On September 14, 1974, after seven years of dating, Dean was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart Jan DeBuhr. The couple celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary this last September.

Dean was enticed with a new semi-tractor from his dad to come into the transportation industry after his brother Mike passed on. Dean’s parents purchased the truck line in 1951. Dean and Jan then purchased it from them in 1983 and sold it in December 2019. He never regretted that decision since that is what he had grown up with and he got to see his children grow up in Chokio. His education was exemplified with the feasts he prepared and shared with many: grilling, meat smoking, BBQ’s, as well as he and Luke’s secret seasoning and sauce, to name a few.

Dean joined the Masonic Lodge on November 18, 1980 and was a member for 45 years. He had also moved on and joined the Zurah Shrine on June 25, 2015.

Dean lived 71 of his 73 years of his life in Chokio. He loved his hometown and the life of a small town. He loved visiting with everyone. And he was never afraid to share his opinion. He always said you’ll never wonder what’s on my mind, because he would share it. The hobbies he enjoyed were: going to car and truck shows, going to auction sales to buy treasures of all sorts, picking wild asparagus, telling his never-ending collection of jokes (of which he never forgot any) and talking and visiting with people.

If Dean made someone smile, brought laughter to their day, or made their life a bit easier, his day would be better. Dean was always striving as to what things he could do to benefit people and the community, with the likes of Chokio’s Community Center. He was a giving person whether at home offering transportation to whoever needed a ride or something picked up or, helping people in trouble on the road. He was gracious and sincere in his offerings to help. His best side made others smile. He was a Busy Guy but he sure had fun.

Dean treated his wife Jan like he did his mother Rachel, with love and kindness. He hardly missed a day to visit his mother when she lived in Chokio and in Graceville. He was a great role model for his grandson, Henry. One recent Christmas season they experienced together distributing Backpacks of Necessity Items to those in need in Phoenix, AZ. And oh boy did he enjoy sports with his grandson!

He is going to be missed greatly at Chokio activities, Spauldings Bar and DeToys in Morris. May God bless Dean in Heaven for all his good attributes with Cold Landsharks & Lime! Dean's greatest love was his wife, children and grandson.

Dean died on Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at his winter home in Maricopa, Arizona; he was 73 years old.

Dean is survived by his spouse: Jan; daughter: Sadie; grandson: Henry; brothers: Darcy (Shirley) Monson and Vern (Darlene) Munson; sisters-in-law: Joyce (Mike) Busch, Arlene Larson, Kathy DeBuhr; nieces and nephews: Dwight (Casie) Monson, Katie (Stephen) Douglass, Erik (Kate) Busch, Kendra (Tom) Stoddart, Mike Larson, Doug Larson, Scott (Leita) Larson, Rich Larson, John (Sarah) DeBuhr, Mitch (Alyssa) DeBuhr and many cousins, family and friends. He was preceded in death by his son: Luke Monson; brothers: Mike and Brad Monson; parents Luverne & Rachel Monson, mother-in-law and father-in-law: Charles and Esther DeBuhr; brothers-in-law: Jim Larson and Les DeBuhr; niece Whitnee Busch and nephew Brett Monson.

Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris, MN in care of arrangements for Dean.