Dean Atkinson

Dean F. Atkinson, age 45 of Freeport, died Sunday, May 30, 2010 at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 2 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport with Rev. Roger Klassen, O.S.B. officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport. Parish prayers will be held at 5 p.m. Tuesday evening at the church in Freeport.

Dean Floyd Atkinson was born November 28, 1964 in Melrose, Minnesota to Edward H. and Delphine (Mader) Atkinson. He attended grade school in Freeport and attended Melrose High School. Dean loved playing sports and riding horses prior to the accident on the farm that deemed him a quadriplegic. He spent a year in the hospital and lived with his foster parents, Ed and Carol Petters in St. Cloud and graduated from Apollo High School. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport. Dean enjoyed fishing, farming, and bird watching. He raised horses and buffalo on the farm. He loved to party and really enjoyed people, especially his Godchildren. Dean had a tremendous, positive outlook on life and truly was an inspiration to everyone who met him.

Survivors include his brothers, Edward T. (Jackie) Atkinson of Freeport, Thomas Atkinson of Albany, and Trent Atkinson of Freeport; foster mother, Carol Petters of St. Cloud; foster brothers and sisters, Lori Petters, James Petters, Josie Warnert, Janyne Petters, and Tasha Schreifels.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Edward H. and Delphine Atkinson; brothers, Bradley Atkinson and Todd Atkinson; sister, Sheila Madeson; and foster father, Edward Petters.

Serving as casket bearers will be Doug Watercott, Allen Roering, Sean Schlosser, Jon Atkinson, Isaiah Atkinson, and Jake Thielman. Cross bearer will be Amie Madeson and scripture bearer will be Ashley Atkinson.