Dean Emerson Fatland

Prayer Service: Prayer Service: https://vimeo.com/event/4853963

Funeral Service: https://www.youtube.com/live/I6U7etuZxNY?si=V3-RIoAlNbFdINzm

Tribute Video: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/GY8DZBKFBSDXBN6Z

Dean Emerson Fatland, 94, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at St. Catherine North in Fargo. Dean was born on September 21, 1930, to Daniel and Norma (Peterson) Fatland in Casselton, ND. For a brief time, he and his family lived in Durbin, ND. The family later moved to a farm outside of Walcott, ND. He was the third son and had five brothers and one sister. He was baptized and confirmed at the Walcott Lutheran Church and attended school in Walcott.

Growing up in the Great Depression, he started working at an early age to help support the family. At 11 years old, he worked in the summer for Richland County with his Dad, and older brothers, Donald and Duane. At age 13, he worked for an area farmer, Julius Borgen, helping with the farming operations by driving a Farmall H pull combine. He later worked for the railroad alongside his Dad and older brother, Duane. After a couple of days of working on the railroad, he wished he had stayed in school as it was hard work.

In December of 1951, Dean enlisted and proudly served in the US Army. Basic training was at Camp Roberts in California. In 1952, he was shipped overseas to a training camp in Japan before going on to fight in the Korean War. He fought on the front lines in horrible battles and lost friends that fought alongside him, which troubled him for many years. He was honorably discharged in September of 1953, and has been a long-time member of the American Legion in Walcott.

After returning from Korea, Dean studied and received his GED and attended NDSCS in Wahpeton to become a Diesel Mechanic. While attending NDSCS, he went on a blind date and met the love of his life, Sylvia Nygaard. They were married on September 25, 1955, at Glenwood Lutheran Church, Crosby, ND.

Dean worked various jobs before beginning his career as a mechanic and Parts Manager for Muscatell Chevrolet in Fargo. After almost 20 years in the automotive industry, he went to work for the West Fargo Public School system and retired in 1992.

Dean had a green thumb. He loved gardening, and planting trees and beautiful flowers. Wherever he lived, he always had a tomato plant or two or three growing. He also enjoyed tinkering with wood and building things. Dean's family and friends would say he was one of the original house flippers and used his carpentry skills to remodel their homes and then sell them.

Dean and Sylvia loved to go to family gatherings and taking family trips. One of their favorite trips was a trip to Norway with some of Dean's siblings. They also enjoyed going on trips across the United States to National Parks, visiting family and friends, and attending reunions for Korean War veterans. He enjoyed attending the Rollag Steam Threshers Reunion, Sodbusters, and many Lutefisk dinners. At Sodbusters, he would always get his fill of lefse and Rømmegrøt.

Dean will be missed by his two daughters, Sandra (Wayne) Meyer, Moorhead, MN and Loree (Jerry) Grudem, Park Rapids, MN; two grandsons, Jeremy (Kristen Brien) Meyer and Jason Meyer; two great-grandsons, Hudson and Brekken Meyer; brother, Darlan Fatland; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Marilyn (Larry) DeJardine; Cindy Erickson and many special nephews, nieces, great-nephews, and great-nieces.

Dean was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Sylvia; his parents; youngest daughter, Jan; in-laws Joseph (Mabel) Nygaard; siblings Donald (Frances) Fatland, Duane (Martha) Fatland, Darlene (Arnold) Hanson, Darwin (Edwaina) Fatland, Dennis Fatland; sister-in-law, Mary Bond Fatland, former sister-in-law, Barbara Miller. Nygaard in-laws Milton (Norma) Nygaard, Esther (Eskel) Erickson, Dorothy (LeRoy) Rensvold, Marion (Denis) Toppen, LaVerne Binde; nephew, Robert Nygaard; two nieces, Darlene Binde and Angela Hanson; and great-niece, Chantel Sagaser.