Dean Aanerud

Dean Aanerud, 86 of Pelican Rapids, formerly of Elbow Lake, passed away Sunday, September 14, 2025, at the Pelican Valley Sr. Living.

Dean Owen Aanerud, born on September 17, 1938, to Joe and Grace (Schoonover) Aanerud in Elbow Lake, Minnesota, entering into the world at the home of midwife Emma Nelson. He passed away on September 14, 2025, at Pelican Valley Senior Care in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota—just three days shy of his 87th birthday.

Dean attended Delaware Township country school and later graduated from Elbow Lake High School. He proudly served in the United States Army, and following his honorable discharge, began farming alongside his father, Joe and brother, Dick.

On June 7, 1958, Dean married Elvina Wagner in Herman, Minnesota. Together they built a life filled with love, adventure, family, having four children: Debra, Dawn, Diana, and David.

Dean continued farming until 1982. He and Elvina were entrepreneurs at heart, building and operating several beloved establishments—The Home 20, The Leanto, and The Back Door Saloon in Elbow Lake, plus The Leanto in Fergus Falls—from 1976 to 1985.

Dean had a passion for horses, history and storytelling, which he expressed through Civil War reenacting with his dear friend Buck Buxton. They first joined the First Minnesota Infantry Regiment and, in 1976, became part of the Fort Ransom, ND 7th Cavalry, performing in numerous parades and historical celebrations. In the late 1980s, Dean and Buck expanded their reenacting into films, appearing in productions such as The North and the South, The Blue and the Gray, Glory, Far and Away, and the beloved Dances with Wolves.

In 1992, Dean embarked on a new adventure, moving to Alaska to work as a truck driver in some of the most remote and breathtaking parts of the state. He and Elvina made many wonderful friends during their time in Alaska, especially while living on Lake Lucille in Wasilla. Dean retired from trucking in 2009 but continued to enjoy the beauty and spirit of Alaska. He raised chickens, tended two greenhouses, and maintained a large vegetable garden surrounded by a six-foot-high fence to keep out the moose. In 2020, Dean and Elvina returned to Minnesota to be closer to family.

Dean is survived by his wife, Elvina; daughter Debb (Chris) Fertal; daughter Diana (Gary) Barta; and son David, also known as Mac. He was a proud grandfather to Justin Guttormson, Brittian (Guy) Putoff, Nik (Ashley) Guttormson, Elyse (Gareth) Evans, Stevvi Aanerud, and Suri Aanerud. His great-grandchildren include Callysta, Katrina, David, and Dominic; Braden, Addie, Honor, and Judah; Zane and Clay; and Oaken and Arcadya. He was also blessed with a great-great-grandson, Alexander.

Dean is also survived by his sister-in-law Nadine (David) Brown and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his infant daughter Dawn Marie; his parents Joe and Grace Aanerud; his brother Richard (Gloria) Aanerud; his sister Marilynn (Gene) Larson; his half-sister Jannette Saulsberry. Also, in-laws Howard and Esther (Thompson) Wagner; Vernell (Linda) Wagner; and Carolyn Wagner.

A Celebration of Life will be held at United Lutheran Church in Elbow Lake on Friday, October 24th. The visitation will be at 1:00 pm with the service at 2:00 pm. Family and friends are invited to gather in remembrance and celebration of Dean’s life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Vivie Hospice of Fergus Falls or Wounded Warriors. Our family extends heartfelt thanks to Vivie Hospice and Pelican Valley Senior Care for the tender care they provided to Dean, and for the love and support they showed us during the last three months of his life.

Dean will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.