Dean Austin Palmer

Dean Austin “Peanut” Palmer, 84, of Barnesville, MN, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at Essentia Health in Fargo, ND. A funeral service to honor his life will be held on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Hope Lutheran Brethren Church, Barnesville, MN, with Pastor Kevin Skaret presiding. Visitation will be held at the church from 10:00 am -11:00 am and the funeral will begin at 11:00 am with military honors to follow.

Dean was born on September 10, 1941, in Hinckley, Minnesota, to Austin LeRoy Palmer and Marion Jane (Jones) Palmer. The sixth of nine children, he was raised in Beardsley, MN, where he attended school, played baseball, and spent many happy hours fishing with his father.

On April 30, 1966, Dean married the love of his life, Carol (Hills) Palmer at the Methodist Church in Beardsley, MN. Shortly after their marriage, the couple moved to Cambridge before eventually settling in Barnesville, MN, where they built their forever home and raised their family.

Dean proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps as a Corporal (E-4) in Communications as a Radio Intelligence Operator in the 9th Marine Corps District. During his service he was stationed overseas in Turkey and Scotland during peacetime and earned a Marksman’s Badge, Good Conduct Medal, and an Overseas Ribbon.

Throughout his life, Dean was known for his strong work ethic. He worked at the creamery and lumber yard in Cambridge, later at the lumber yard in Barnesville, and eventually retired from his work at the physical plant at Moorhead State University. Retirement didn’t suit him for long, however, and he soon went back to work helping at his daughter Julie and son-in-law Curt’s company, Lodestar Transport Services in Barnesville.

Dean was a man of many hobbies and interests. He loved fishing, bowling, woodworking, gardening, and watching Minnesota sports teams. As a teenager he worked on a farm, and throughout his life he enjoyed tinkering with projects and trying new things, from raising carrier pigeons to harvesting chickens in his backyard. He enjoyed long drives, sitting on the porch, and getting into a little harmless trouble on his scooter with his best pal. Dean also had a soft spot for dogs and rarely met one he didn’t like.

Faith was central to Dean’s life. He loved Jesus deeply and faithfully participated in daily Bible study with his family. He served as treasurer at Hope Lutheran Brethren Church in Barnesville.

Dean will be remembered for his humor and personality as much as anything else. He loved teasing people, always delivering it with a signature grin and a sparkle in his eye that made it clear it was all in love. His family also remembers the many long days on the lake, when he insisted on staying just a little longer in hopes of catching “one more fish.”

Dean will be dearly missed by his beloved wife, Carol Palmer of Barnesville; his children, Paula (Mark) Thimjon, Julie (Curt) Cossette, and Matthew (Misy) Palmer; his grandchildren, Brittany Cossette, Austin Cossette, Emily Cossette, Olivia (Austin) Daugherty, Keelin Fitzpatrick, Amelia Palmer, and Finley Palmer; and his great-grandchildren, Stella Daugherty, Sunday Daugherty, and Otto Daugherty.

He is also survived by his siblings, Arlys (John) Brown, Hazen (Red) Palmer, Patricia Cardwell, Darryll (Beth) Palmer, and Sandra (Richard) Stotesbery; and sister-in-law Lucy Palmer

Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Austin LeRoy Palmer and Marion Jane (Jones) Palmer; his parents-in-law, Ora Hills and Hazel (Doschadis) Hills; his grandchildren, Tori and Erin Cossette; his siblings, Donald Palmer, Chester (Chet) Palmer, and Eva Lou (Toddy) Stickland; and brothers- and sisters-in-law, Marlys Palmer, Larry Stickland, Mary Palmer, and Gary Cardwell.

Dean’s life was marked by faith, humor, hard work, and a deep love for his family. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.