Dean Willows

Dean “Willy” Willows, 52, passed away Friday August 24, 2007 in his home under the wonderful care of Hospice of the Red River Valley. He is at peace and out of pain after a very courageous 8 1/2 month battle with Metastatic Melanoma. Dean Richard Willows was born February 6, 1955 in Regina Sask, Canada to Richard and Jane Willows. As a young boy he moved with his parents to Bismarck ND where he grew up, attended school and graduated from Bismarck High in 1973. After graduation he moved to Fargo, ND where he attended NDSU for 1 year. After this he began his 30+ year career in the trucking industry. He drove over-the-road for many years and saw a lot of country. Throughout his career he drove for Haukedahl Trucking, Red Owl Foods, Super Valu Foods, Johnson Brothers and had spent the last 16 years working for Lewis Truck Lines, where he worked until the time of his illness. In 1984 he married Valerie Munter and together they had one daughter, Anna Pauline Willows. He took her with him ever where when he wasn't working - she was his pride and joy. On May 1, 1998 he married his best friend and soul mate Cindy Freeberg at Island Park Gazeebo with their children at their side. He was the most amazing husband a woman could ask for. He was a wonderful father not only to his daughter Anna but to his step daughters Ashley and Brianne. Together over the years they created many memories that will last a lifetime. May 1, 2007 Willy and Cindy had their wedding vows blessed at Island Park Gazeebo again with their children at their side. He took great pride in his family and was never short on giving out love and affection. He had several nicknames but was known by many as "The Freight Legend". You could ask him for directions or landmarks anywhere and he could tell you. He was a great mentor and teacher. To know Willy was to love him. His co-workers would always tell him he should have been in radio because of his quick wit and his ability to make everyone smile and laugh. No matter where you went he would know someone, and even if he didn’t know you he would say Hi and start up a conversation. He had the most amazing personality and always could see the good in every situation. His faith and belief in the Lord Jesus as his Savior shined for everyone to see as he fought his battle with cancer and never let it get him down. His journey was an inspiration to many. The lives he touched on this earth are numerous. His nickname "The Legend" suited him perfectly in more ways than one. He will forever be loved, remembered and missed by his devoted wife, Cindy, beautiful daughters, Anna Willows (Preston Flaten), Ashley Freeberg, Brianne Freeberg and his “hairy child” Macy May. His parents, Jane Willows and Richard Willows. His sister Deanna Kinnitschke (Chuck Menking), brother Doug (Andrea) Willows, in-laws Walt and Janice Rodlund, sister and brother in-laws Vickie (Gene) Schmidt, Greg (Sandie) Rodlund, Steven Rodlund, and Kim (Ross) Mohr, 4 nieces, 8 nephews, 2 great nieces and several aunts, uncles and cousins in both the United States and Canada. He was proceeded in death by his grandparents George and Pauline Kernechuk and Gordon and Vivian Willows and nephew Brandon Rodlund. He has now gone “On To The Big Truck Stop In The Sky!” Prayer Service will be Tues, Aug 28 at Hanson Runsvold Funeral Home, Visitation from 5:00p-7:00p with a Prayer Service at 7:00pm. Funeral and Celebration of Life Service will be held Wed, Aug 29 at Bethel Evangelical Free Church at 11:00am. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery following the funeral. Condolences can be sent on-line to the family on his care page at www.carepages.com , his care page name is TheLegendDRW.