Dean W. Nichols

Dean W. Nichols, 57, of Kerkhoven, died Monday, January 13th at Carris Health Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar. His memorial service will be 11:00 am, Monday, January 20th at KMS High School in Kerkhoven. Visitation will be from 3-6:00 pm, Sunday, with a prayer service starting at 6:00 pm, at Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar.  His visitation will continue on Monday, one hour prior to his service at the high school. Burial will be at a later date in Hillside Cemetery in Kerkhoven. Memorials are preferred. www.hafh.org

Dean Wilbur Nichols was born on September 1, 1962, in Benson, to Wilbur and Mary (Christensen) Nichols. He attended elementary school in Sunburg before graduating from KMS High School with the Class of 1981. On March 3, 1987, Dean was united in marriage to Linda Worden. They were blessed with three daughters: Kayla, Kalina and Katrina. Dean started working for the Schleusner Brothers, helping them farm before working at Willmar Poultry Company. In 1995, Dean started his position as a city maintenance man for the City of Kerkhoven where he did his best to help the city run smoothly for 24 years. Later, Dean also worked at Ridgewater College, where he was an EMS Instructor. He enjoyed teaching and was a very patient teacher. He was an instructor at Ridgewater for 22 years. Dean also volunteered as an EMT in Kerkhoven, where he made many friends. He had an infectious personality that is described as strong, helpful, encouraging and larger than life. He was always there to help family and friends. Dean might have been best known for wearing his orange Crocs, even to his daughter’s wedding dance. You could often hear Dean whistle to get his daughters’ attention. He enjoyed taking his family on road trips, often without a planned destination! Dean was a loving husband, dad, grandpa and friend.

Dean is survived by his wife, Linda; daughters: Kayla Wersinger (significant other, Mark Wanderi), Kalina Nichols and Katrina Nichols; three grandchildren: Braedan Wersinger, Dominic Wersinger and Cole Wanderi; siblings: Beverly (Dwyane) Kuhlman, Patricia (Michael) Harvey, Charles (Janice) Nichols, Marjory (Allen) Anderson, and Linda (Patrick) Duscher;  many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Wilbur and Mary and his Great-niece Lauren Olson.

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