Services for Dean Kelly Lambert
Dean Kelly Lambert, 57, from Oklee and Nashwauk, MN, lost his battle with cancer at Sanford Bemidji Hospital on Saturday, November 12, 2022, surrounded by his loving family.
A celebration of life will be held at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Oklee, Minnesota, on Saturday, December 17, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. A one-hour visitation will start at 10:00 a.m., with Father Bryan Kujawa officiating. There will be time for sharing during the service. Cease Funeral Home of Bagley is assisting the family with arrangements.
Dean Kelly Lambert was born in Crookston, MN on May 28, 1965, to Dewey and Dorothy (Boucher) Lambert. Dean was the youngest of 7 children and the youngest grandchild on both sides of the family. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Oklee. His sisters Bonnie and Margaret were in charge of naming him; they had two names to pick from, Kelly and Dean.
They chose Dean Kelly because his two-year-old sister was named Donna, and they thought Donna and Dean had a nice ring to it. Little did they know, when the youngest two headed out the door to hang out and possibly get into mischief with the neighborhood kids that they would perpetuate Dorothy’s famous saying, “Donna & Dean there’s a limit!” Dean was affectionately known as “Deano” to many, and even was the first word a dear neighborhood friend learned.
He graduated from Oklee High School in 1983. The start of his education started off a little rocky. On his first day of kindergarten, he decided to leave early, running 5 blocks home. Apparently, Deano thought attendance was optional.
Dean valued working hard at a young age, having various jobs growing up and always made sure his mom was taken care of after losing his dad at the age of 15.
Dean was a member of the Local 49ers and was a very skilled heavy equipment operator, with his specialty of shaping golf courses as they were being built. His work took him all over the United States, Mexico, and Africa where he made many new & lifelong friends. His family & friends loved visiting him and hearing stories of his travel adventures. Dean enjoyed hunting, fishing, cooking, and especially devouring big bowls of ice cream, as well as mashed potatoes and gravy. For a little guy, he surprised many by how much he could eat.
We are heartbroken to lose our kind, generous, outgoing, adventurous, brother, uncle, and great friend Dean. Dean will be deeply missed by his brothers Terry (Jenna) Lambert, Brooklyn Park, MN and Reinold Lambert Thief River Falls MN. And his sisters Bonnie Paquin, Clearbrook MN. Margaret (Stuart) Peterson, Thief River Falls, MN. and Donna (Steve) Linder, Oklee, MN. Nieces and nephews, Justin (Yuleima) Lambert, Jacksonville FL, Nichole (Sung) Chang, Plymouth, MN, Trevor (Kendra) Lambert, Brooklyn Park, MN, Kimberly (Chris) Fromm, Stacy (Jim) Rathke, Tina (James) Brannen, all of Rapid City, SD, Kelsey (Chris) McClean, Thief River Falls, MN, Peter Paquin, CA, Andy Paquin, Clearbrook, MN, Alex (Kaia) Paquin, Maple Grove, MN, Alicia Kieckbusch (fiancé Tom Vasfaret), Fertile, MN, Ashley (Jordan) Haugen, and Tanner (fiancé Kylie Kraft) Peterson, Duluth, MN, Amber Hartl, Ben (Alexis) Linder, and Levi Linder, Oklee, MN, and many great nieces and nephews, and his many good friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Michael (in infancy), his significant other of 20 years, Judy Faye Hanks, his grandparents Armidas and Blanch (Bergeron) Lambert, Wilbrod and Mary (Langlois) Boucher and his niece Brandi Lambert.
Deans’ family is very grateful and appreciative he was fortunate to have his sister Bonnie as his loving caregiver during his illness.
Messages of condolence may be sent to ceasefuneralhome.com