Dean Walter Brunsvold, a retired carpenter, firefighter and lifetime resident of Harmony, Minn., passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 21, , at the age of 84.
Born on August 5, 1937 to Truman and Beatrice (Lien) Brunsvold in Madison Township, located in Winneshiek County, Iowa. Dean attended a one room schoolhouse until the 6th grade when he went to Harmony High School, graduating in 1955. He joined the United States Navy, serving active duty from 1956-1958, then returned to the Harmony area to finish out his Reserves until 1962 and to begin his contracting career. He met the love of his life, Mavis Hegg, in 1961 and they were joined in marriage on September 29, , at Greenfield Lutheran Church. Dean was a lifelong contractor, building and remodeling so many of the homes in and around the Harmony area along with the skating rink and the current fire hall. His other career was that as a fireman where he served on the Harmony Volunteer Fire Department from 1960 until his retirement in 2006. The firefighters and their families were a huge part of his and his family’s life, and he spoke of them often and with many fond memories.
Dean also had a passion for fishing which he passed on to his five girls and all of his grandchildren. He made many (guys) fishing trips to Betsy Ross resort on Lake Ida in Alexandria, Minn., and more recently family trips to Backus, Ely, and Babbitt, Minn. Many walleye and northerners were caught (and lost) and he had enough fish stories to last many lifetimes.
Dean was an active member in the community serving on the school board, weather watch and was a proud member of the “chain gang” for 46 years. He touched the lives of many people and will be missed by all of those who knew him.
Dean is survived by his wife Mavis of 59 years, his daughters Deb (Mark) Apenhorst, Barb (Paul) Storsveen, Lynda Brunsvold (Perry Omodt), Angi (Joe) Kaase and Sheila (Jamie) Reicks; grandchildren John, Justin, Jeffrey, Michael, Andrew, Samantha, Trey, Ryli, Quinci, Trae, Bailey and Aiden; 10 great grandchildren and four soon-to-be great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents Truman and Beatrice and two brothers, Orland and Gerald.
A visitation was held on Sunday, April 24 from 2-4 at the Lindstrom Funeral Home in Harmony. Funeral service will be on Monday, April 25 at 11 a.m. at Greenfield Lutheran Church with Pastor Kurt Bockoven officiating, followed by a burial at Greenfield Cemetery. A celebration of life and luncheon will be held at the Harmony Fire Hall following burial.