Dean R. Welter, age 67 of Motley, Minn. (formerly of Hastings, Minn.), went to be with the Lord peacefully at his home on December 15, 2024, surrounded by his loving family after a long, courageous battle with cancer. 

Preceded in death by his father, Kenneth “Bud” Welter. Survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Deb (née Harrison); children, Kristi and Brent; grandchildren, Caleb, Michael, and Ellie; mother, Dorothy; siblings, Jona (Doug) Hamilton, Dan (Bonnie), Darin “Doob” (Julie), and Peggy (Jim) Day; mother-in-law, Erna Harrison; many nieces, nephews, in-laws, other relatives, and friends. 

Dean was born February 2, 1957, and grew up in New York Mills. He met the love of his life, Deb, at a dance in 1977 and they married in 1980. They raised their family in Hastings and Dean worked at Flint Hills Resources for 28 years, when he retired Dean and Deb moved to their cabin on the river in Motley. He had a zest for life and a joyful spirit. Everyone that met Dean loved him, he had a contagious laugh and always had a good story or joke to tell. He loved the outdoors: hunting, fishing, golfing, snowmobiling, and four wheeling. Dean enjoyed playing cards with friends and family, sports, and was always the last one to leave the party. He was a good provider and a hard worker. One of the most important things to Dean was spending quality time with his family and friends. He touched so many lives and will be missed dearly. 

Funeral at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at Motley Free Methodist Church, 33 Wellwood St., Motley, with visitation starting at 10 a.m. Interment at Oakland Cemetery in Little Falls.