Dean Aanerud
Dean Aanerud, age 86 of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, formerly of Elbow Lake, MN, passed away Sunday, September 14, 2025, at the Pelican Valley Sr. Living Center in Pelican Rapids, MN.
Visitation for Dean Aanerud will be held Friday, October 24, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the United Lutheran Church in Elbow Lake, MN.
Memorial services for Dean Owen Aanerud will be at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 24, 2025, at the United Lutheran Church in Elbow Lake, MN.
Dean Owen Aanerud, born on September 17, 1938, to Joe and Grace (Schoonover) Aanerud in Elbow Lake, Minnesota, entering into the world at the home of midwife Emma Nelson. He passed away on September 14, 2025, at Pelican Valley Senior Care in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota—just three days shy of his 87th birthday.
Dean attended Delaware Township country school and later graduated from Elbow Lake High School. He proudly served in the United States Army, and following his honorable discharge, began farming alongside his father, Joe and brother, Dick.
On June 7, 1958, Dean married Elvina Wagner in Herman, Minnesota. Together they built a life filled with love, adventure, family, having four children: Debra, Dawn, Diana, and David.
Dean continued farming until 1982. He and Elvina were entrepreneurs at heart, building and operating several beloved establishments—The Home 20, The Leanto, and The Back Door Saloon in Elbow Lake, plus The Leanto in Fergus Falls—from 1976 to 1985.
Dean had a passion for horses, history and storytelling, which he expressed through Civil War reenacting with his dear friend Buck Buxton. They first joined the First Minnesota Infantry Regiment and, in 1976, became part of the Fort Ransom, ND 7th Cavalry, performing in numerous parades and historical celebrations. In the late 1980s, Dean and Buck expanded their reenacting into films, appearing in productions such as The North and the South, The Blue and the Gray, Glory, Far and Away, and the beloved Dances with Wolves.
In 1992, Dean embarked on a new adventure, moving to Alaska to work as a truck driver in some of the most remote and breathtaking parts of the state. He and Elvina made many wonderful friends during their time in Alaska, especially while living on Lake Lucille in Wasilla. Dean retired from trucking in 2009 but continued to enjoy the beauty and spirit of Alaska. He raised chickens, tended two greenhouses, and maintained a large vegetable garden surrounded by a six-foot-high fence to keep out the moose. In 2020, Dean and Elvina returned to Minnesota to be closer to family.
Dean is survived by his wife: Elvina; daughter: Debb (Chris) Fertal, Diana (Gary) Barta; and son: David, also known as Mac; six grandchildren: Justin Guttormson, Brittian (Guy) Putoff, Nik (Ashley) Guttormson, Elyse (Gareth) Evans, Stevvi Aanerud, and Suri Aanerud; twelve great-grandchildren: Callysta, Katrina, David, and Dominic; Braden, Addie, Honor, and Judah; Zane and Clay; and Oaken and Arcadya; great-great-grandson: Alexander; his sister-in-law: Nadine (David) Brown; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements are with Erickson-Smith Funeral Home.
