Gregory D. Nessett, age 61 of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, died on Sunday, November 17, 2024, at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson, Minnesota surrounded by the love of his family. Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 24, 2024, from 2:00 pm until 5:00 pm at Sturm Funeral Home, Sleepy Eye Chapel. Visitation will continue on Monday, November 25, 2024, from 10:00 am until 11:00 am at Sturm Funeral Home, Sleepy Eye Chapel followed by a memorial service at 11:00 am at the funeral home. The clergy will be Pastor Grant Fischer. Interment will be at Home Cemetery in Sleepy Eye. Military Honors will be provided by Sleepy Eye Honor Guard. A Celebration of Life will continue at the Servicemen’s Club in Sleepy Eye following the burial. Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.
Gregory Dean Nessett, the son of Kenneth and Alice (Wikoren) Nesset, was born on January 25, 1963, in Glenville, Minnesota. In his early teen years, he moved with his parents to Sleepy Eye where he attended Sleepy Eye Public School and excelled in sports. He was a member of the Class of 1981. In 1982, Greg enlisted in the United States Navy where he specialized in cryptology, a field that required much personal sacrifice not only of him, but his family as well. Not wanting to have parameters around his family, after 10 years of service, Greg was honorably discharged in 1992. He returned home to Sleepy Eye where he worked at McCabes Ace Hardware, Anderson Custom Processing, Kraft Foods, and Firmenich in New Ulm.
On November 21, 1998, Greg was united in marriage to Sheila Starrett, blending a family that included his two children, her three children and was completed with the addition of their sixth child. Family meant everything to Greg, and he loved attending sporting events of his children. He was very loving and caring, making sure others had what they needed or wanted.
Master of the grill, and one-liners, Greg thoroughly enjoyed cooking for his family and keeping them on their toes with his quick wit and great comebacks. Determination and hard work enabled Greg to take on challenges thrown his way. It also helped that he wasn’t one to just sit still. Greg loved to camp, watch the Minnesota Vikings, play pool, and throw darts. He was a member of the American Legion Post 7 in Sleepy Eye.
Greg is survived by his wife, Sheila Nessett of Sleepy Eye; children, Christopher (Jenna Arkins) Nessett of Sleepy Eye, Greg “Dean” Nessett of Texas, Jaclyn (Brandon Hansen) Nessett of Sleepy Eye, Jesse (Kate) Widmer of Sauk Rapids, Jacob (Rhonda) Widmer of Sauk Rapids, and Samantha (Matt) Leite of Sartell; 18 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; mother, Alice Anderson of Sleepy Eye; brother, Jeffrey (Deb Eidem) Nesset of Jackson; siblings-in-law, Melissa Wellnitz of Mankato and Steve (Ann) Starrett of Mankato; and other loving relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Nesset; stepfather, James Anderson; sister, Jacqueline Oudekerk; and siblings-in-law, Shelley Krueger, Carey Starrett, and Dan Starrett.