Dean Leon Nelson, age 82, of Brighton, CO passed away December 28, 2017. Born January 1, 1935 in Wayne, NE Dean attended Carroll High School in Carroll, NE. He went on to work as a laborer for Gates Rubber Company from where he retired. Dean enjoyed cowboy polo, black powder guns, Mountain Man Rendezvous, fishing, hunting and woodworking. Dean was in the United States Marine Corps from 1952-1956, earning medals for Korean Service, a National Defense Service Medal, a UN Service Medal and a Good Conduct Medal. Dean is survived by his sister, Glenda Owens, of Kentucky; daughter, Karen Nelson, of Colorado; son, James Nelson (Sandy), of  Alaska; stepdaughters, Rande Gradziel, of Colorado, Shirley Tonge (Richard), of Utah and Barbara Krumpelmann (Mark) of Colorado; stepson, Gary Hockensmith (Tammy), of Colorado; over 12 grandchildren and more than nine great-grandchildren. Dean was predeceased by his first wife, Beverly Nelson and his second wife, Shirley Nelson, his brother, Robert Nelson, his sister, Jolene Skovbo Reese and stepdaughter, Rosemary Bainbridge.

Donations can be made to:

 Karen Nelson

 PO Box 682

 Kiowa, Colorado 80117

 Service Information