Dean Keith Severson, 76, Hallock, Minnesota passed away Monday, October 21, 2013 at Villa St. Vincent nursing home in Crookston, Minnesota. Dean was born January 7, 1937 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the second of three sons, to Roy and Virginia (Harper) Severson. Dean served two years in the U. S. Naval Reserve while a student at Roosevelt High School and, after graduation in 1955, served an additional two years on the U.S.S. Ticonderoga aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean, honorably discharged in 1957. He married Marcia Mortenson on September 27, 1958 and to them were born three sons while living in Minneapolis, Minnetonka and Eden Prairie. Dean followed family tradition as an ironworker for 9 years before joining the Minneapolis Police Department, serving for 20 years until his retirement in 1989, honored with several commendations for his work. While in his 40's he became an avid runner, completing 16 marathons, two of which were under 3 hours, qualifying him for the Boston Marathon. After retirement, Dean and Marcia began traveling within the United States and Canada, then wintered in the Yuma, Arizona area for 23 years. In 1993 they moved to South Red River township in Kittson County, restored a 1930's barn and hosted several fall barn dances for friends and neighbors, the last one on their 50th wedding anniversary, September 27, 2008. Discovering the love of gardening, he labored for 20 summers, sharing vegetables with many, and also found his voice in song, greatly enjoying entertaining, along with many friends. Gardening, singing, hunting and golfing kept him active even after diagnosis of Parkinson's disease in 2007, yet the disease took its toll in 2013, ending his life on this earth. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Marcia, three sons, Todd David (Gabriele) of Berlin, Germany, Keith Michael (Karen) of Lakeville, Minnesota, Joel Dean of Seattle, Washington and four grandchildren, Robyn, Cassandra, Nikolas and Stella and two brothers, Dale of San Jose, California and Darrel of McGregor, Minnesota. A memorial service will be at Red River Lutheran Church, rural Kennedy, Minnesota on Saturday, October 26, 2013 at 10:30 A.M. Memorials preferred to Red River Lutheran Church.