Dean Martinson, 81, died unexpectedly January 31, 2026, from sepsis complications, at St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado.

Dean was born in Fergus Falls, Minnesota to Leonard and Adelyn Martinson on November 6, 1944. He grew up in Gentry, Arkansas with his mother, Adelyn Ammon and older brother, Wally. The family moved over the years to Blackberry, Minnesota; Jamestown, North Dakota, and Milo, Oregon. He graduated from Milo Academy where he was senior class president. Dean moved to Walla Walla, Washington, where he graduated from Walla Walla University in 1966 with a degree in chemistry. He furthered his education at Loma Linda University in California obtaining a Master's Degree in Chemistry.

After graduation Dean taught nursing chemistry at San Bernardino and Loma Linda Universities. He always had a love of the outdoors, so his next job took him to Alaska where he worked as a game warden. Dean loved telling tales about being shot at by unhappy fishermen. He then moved to California where he worked with a friend, Bob Keeney, doing construction. Bob introduced him to his cousin, Sharlene Haigh, who became the love of his life. Dean and Sharlene were married on September 7, 1969. They were married 56 years prior to Dean's passing.

Dean and Sharlene eventually moved to Ft. Collins, Colorado, where Dean continued working in construction. Their final move took them to Montrose, Colorado. Dean worked in construction management for twenty-five years including a job in Hawaii. He and Sharlene designed and built a home for their family. In 1995, Dean created Martinson Concrete Construction, and his concrete work included jobs for Colorado Park Service and the towns of Gunnison, Crested Butte, Ridgway, Ouray, Olathe, and Montrose.

Dean had a great love for family and friends. His two children, James and Amy, were the apple of his eye. He was known for his compassion, humor and his easy way of engaging anyone in conversation. Dean's hobbies included camping, riding motorcycles, fly fishing, skiing, boating, and hunting. After his retirement, he and Sharlene enjoyed traveling and collecting Indian rugs, jewelry, and artifacts. He especially loved his Harley, Indian motorcycle, and Corvette.

Dean was preceded in death by his mother Adelyn Ammon, stepfather, Ted Ammon; stepbrother. Jerry Ammon. He is survived by wife, Sharlene, and children James Martinson, Amy King and her husband, Tadd King; grandchildren Declan, Avery , and Calan King; brother, Wally Martinson and wife, Lynne; half-brother, Perry Martinson and wife, Julie; half-sister, Jill Redekopp and husband, Jeff; stepbrother Don Ammon and wife, Sharon; stepsister, Nancy Tucker and husband, Gordon, step sister-in-law Zella Ammon; and several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held June 27, 2026, at the Martinson home. Those who wish to remember Dean may make gifts to a charity of their choice or to St. Mary's Foundation, P.O. Box 1628, Grand Junction, Colorado 81502-9826. Mark donation for Rose Hill Apartments.