Dean Karlen

Dean Karlen, 83, of Aberdeen, SD, passed away on Sunday, October 5, 2025, at Prairie Heights Healthcare.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, October 10th, at 1:00 p.m. at Schriver's Memorial Chapel with refreshments to follow.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.schriversmemorial.com. Services will be recorded and posted on Schriver’s website following the service.

Dean Paul Karlen was born at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen, SD, on May 11, 1942, to Paul and Leona (Zeller) Karlen. He attended grade school in Hecla, SD, and his family moved to Aberdeen when he was in ninth grade. He graduated from Aberdeen Central High School in 1960 and served honorably in the Navy from 1960 to 1964.

Dean married his bride, Nancy Bruse, in 1961, and he took her to Jacksonville, Florida, then to Virginia Beach, Virginia. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, the couple moved back to Aberdeen, SD, and Dean attended Northern State College from 1964 to 1967.

Dean moved his family multiple times as he was a personnel manager for various businesses—Pierre, SD; Redwood Falls, MN; Waseca, MN; Sycamore, IL; Dixon, IL; and Winona, MN. His eldest daughter was born in Virginia, his second daughter was born in South Dakota, and his son was born in Minnesota. People started writing the family’s address in pencil, because it changed so often. Then, he decided to become an insurance agent and moved his family one more time to Aberdeen, SD. Dean had his own insurance agency for over 45 years.

Dean was a man of many hats. He was a lay preacher for the Methodist Church, president of NYODA Girl Scouts Council, president of Aberdeen Life Underwriters, secretary of the Moccasin Creek Country Club, Director of Kiwanis, NE Mental Health. He belonged to Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce, Shriner, and SHRM – Human Resources. He did so much volunteer work for his church and community.

Dean cherished his time at the Enemy Swim Lake cabin for over 35 years. He loved family, fishing, and boating. Dean, from Aberdeen, as he always introduced himself as, was a die-hard Vikings fan—win or lose, he supported them loyally.

His last breath is the first breath with Jesus!

Dean is survived by his lovely wife, Nancy of over 64 years; daughter, Jalynn; daughter Paula (Kevin); and son, David (Val); brothers: Terry (Barb) and their son Ronnie (Kristen), and Kent (Deb); four grandchildren: Dillon (Amanda), Tyler (Katelyn), Paige (Morgan), and Karly (Jameson); five great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Paul and Leona.