Dean M. Carlsen, 89, passed away May 5, 2010 in Belle Fourche, SD. Visitation will be Monday, May 10, from noon to 9 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel with the family present from 6 to 9 p.m. The service will be held Tuesday, May 11, at 10 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church with Pastor Denzel Nonhof officiating. Internment will take place at Black Hills National Cemetery following the service.

Dean was born January 1, 1921 to Thomas & Bessie (Nebbinger) Carlsen at the family ranch south of Poplar, MT. He was the middle son of five boys. He attended Hillcrest school and eighth grade in Richey, MT. Growing up, he worked for numerous neighbors and in 1942 joined the army serving at Fort Lawton in Washington State. After he was honorably discharged he returned to Montana to marry his neighborhood sweetheart Mattie Candee on June 3rd 1944. To this marriage he and Mattie had two children; Karen and Tom. After working for Dr. George Brown and Jim Bawden at the V Lazy U Ranch in Nohly, MT, he and Mattie moved to Sidney, MT and he worked as a plumber for Ben York. In 1954 they moved to Fairview, MT and Dean started a long career as partsman and salesman for Collins Mercantile and Sunrise Equipment. Dean enjoyed calling on his customers and selling John Deere farm equipment. After retiring he enjoyed fishing and playing golf every week with Carlos Collins, Bud Simard, and Marion Martin. Dean also spent many hours at "the church", Community Presbyterian Church in Fairview, MT, doing odd jobs, serving on the church board, and teaching Sunday school. Dean was a long time member of the Lion's Club and served as District Governor. Dean later moved to Belle Fourche, South Dakota, to be near his son.

Dean is survived by his daughter Karen (Ken) Loomis Rosemount, Minnesota; one son, Tom (Debbie) Carlsen, Belle Fourche, South Dakota; one brother, Bill Carlsen, Bremerton, Washington; two grandsons Robert (Natalie) Loomis, Stuart, Florida, Kenny (Tracy) Loomis, Eagan, Minnesota; two granddaughters, Becky (Pat) Boland Billings, Montana, Jennifer Carlsen Belle Fourche, South Dakota.

He was preceded in death by his wife Mattie, his parents, three brothers Chuck, Eddie, and Jack, and one granddaughter LeNora Loomis.

Dean will always be remembered for his big smile.

A memorial has been established to the Alzheimer's Research Foundation.