Dean Eilert Thorstenson

Dean E. Thorstenson, 81, of Waterville, IA. died suddenly Thursday, June 25, 2020, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Graveside services with military rites will be held Tuesday, June 30th, at 11:00 AM at Old West Paint Creek Cemetery in rural Waukon with Pastor Ken Kimball officiating. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements. Please join the family for the graveside service live streamed on the Martin Funeral Home Facebook page.  Condolences can be sent to Juanita Thorstenson at 567 Old Sixteen Road, Waterville, IA 52170.

Dean Eilert Thorstenson was born April 10, 1939, in Waukon, Iowa. He was the son of Eilert and Charlotte (Jacobson) Thorstenson. He was baptized and confirmed at Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waukon, attended rural Allamakee County country schools, and graduated from Waukon High School in 1957.  Dean served in the National Guard. On January 30, 1960, he married Juanita Stone at First Presbyterian Church in Waukon. Dean and Juanita farmed together for 60 years in rural Waterville, Iowa, where they milked cows, raised beef cows, and grew crops. He was also a dealer for Badger Implement and Repair and Archer Oil for 25 years.

Dean was a member of Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, telling jokes and teasing the girls. Dean also liked going to the casinos, feeding and watching the birds, and collecting toy tractors and old machinery and restoring them like new. When he was younger, he enjoyed snowmobiling with friends.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years Juanita of Waterville; his children: Denise Sweeney of McGregor, IA,  Lenny (Julie) Thorstenson of Waterville, Brad Thorstenson of Waukon, and Wendy (Loren) White of Bird City, KS; ten grandchildren: Emily, Ben, Anna, Dustin, Ashlee, Jessica, Rebecca, Lucius, Jacob, & Jerimiah; nine great-grandchildren and three on the way; two sisters: Eunice (Robert) Kolsrud and Karla Honn, both of Waukon; and a sister-in-law Linda Thorstenson of Cedar Rapids. He is preceded in death by his parents; an infant sister Ida Ann Thorstenson; and two brothers: David and Wayne (Ronda) Thorstenson.