Dean Twidwell, Sr

Dean Twidwell, Sr., 83, Fargo, ND passed away on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 at Sanford Palliative Care, Fargo, ND. Funeral services will be on Saturday, March 26, 2016 at 1:00 PM at CHI-Riverview Place Chapel with Rev. Wayne Quibell and Father Duane Pribula officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the chapel. Interment will be at Fairview Memorial Gardens, Wahpeton, ND. Arrangements are entrusted to Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton, ND.

Dean was born on August 12, 1932 in Marysville, Kansas to Elbert and Wilma (Dexter) Twidwell. He grew up in Kansas and graduated from Robinson (KS) High School in 1951. He went on to attend Peru State College in Peru, Nebraska until he was drafted into the US Army during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged in 1955 and returned to Kansas where he began his career in the insurance industry.

Dean's job eventually landed him in Jamestown, ND where he met his future wife, Vera Doleshy. They were united in marriage on April 4, 1964 at the EUB Church in Aberdeen, SD. The family continued to move to many states following his position as Claims Manager with Sentry Insurance until his retirement in 1984. In 1986, Dean and Vera moved to Wahpeton, ND to be closer to Vera's parents. In 1986, Dean and Vera started Wahpeton Video and Wahpeton Deli. Those businesses still continue to operate 30 years later in Wahpeton. Dean and Vera moved to CHI-Riverview in Fargo, ND on November 1, 2010, where they continue to live to the present date.

Dean was an avid reader of newspapers and magazines. He enjoyed spending time at Otter Tail Lake, motor homing, and wintering in Florida from the mid-eighties to 2010. He enjoyed living at Riverview Place where he was active in the Men's Club and always found good conversations at their evening dining time. The greatest love of his life was his wife Vera. They enjoyed doing everything together. He also looked forward to the visits he had with his children and keeping informed on the grandchildren's activities.

Dean is survived by his wife of 52 years, Vera, Fargo, ND; his children, Eugene (Barbara), Mokena, IL, David, Costilla, NM, Michael (Robin), Danville, IL, Linda (Toviao) Hopkins, Breckenridge, MN, and Dean Jr. (Missi), Breckenridge; ten grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; as well as sister-in-law, Marge Twidwell and nephew, Scott Twidwell, Topeka, KS.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elbert and Wilma, his brothers, Donald and Alan; and his father and mother-in-law, Robert and Luvern Doleshy.