Nathan was called to his eternal rest Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 15, 2021, at Mayo Clinic Health System-St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minn. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sherburn, and one hour prior to the service Monday at the church. The family requests that those who are going to attend the visitation and funeral service to wear facial covering. Nathan’s funeral service will be live-streamed on the St. John’s Lutheran Church Facebook page and will be recorded for those who are unable to attend.

Nathan Lee Whitehead was born Sept. 30, 1949, in Fairmont, Minn., to Cecil and Althea (Lucus) Whitehead. He received his education in Welcome, Minn., graduating with the Welcome High School class of 1967. Nathan was a charter member of Southwest Minnesota State College in Marshall, Minn. taking pre-law classes. This is where he met the love of his life, Mary Jean. On June 14, 1970, he was united in marriage to Mary Jean Nenow at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Madison, Minn. In 1971, they welcomed their first child Jonathan Lee. He then went to work for the Howard Bliss Family Farms in Canby, Minn. In March 1973, Nathan moved his small family to Sherburn, Minn. where he bought his first farm. Then, in 1975, they welcomed their second child Penny Jean to the family. Later, in 1979, Nathan added onto to the family farm house, they also welcomed their third child Wesley Nathan to the family. Along with farming, Nathan was employed as a bus driver for DAC in Sherburn and later for Step, Inc. in Fairmont, Minn. In 1989, Nathan became employed as a school bus driver for the Sherburn/Dunnell Schools and later Martin County West Schools where he took great pride in safety and transportation of students. This allowed him to spend time with his children’s and later his grandchildren’s school activities until his retirement in 2014 (sub till 2017). From 2005-2015, along with his family, they were the caretakers of the Sherburn Cemetery where he took great pride in maintaining it. He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sherburn, and served as an Elder and enjoyed singing at the church, especially with his grandchildren. Nathan also served as supervisor on the Elm Creek Township Board. Nathan loved his family farm, treasured spending time with family and being with friends. He enjoyed going to the Cup-n-Saucer Café in the morning for coffee and shaking dice. Nathan liked bowling and belonged to four different leagues, bowling in Sherburn, Ceylon and Jackson until ending his bowling career at Fairmont. Nathan spent these last few years traveling to his in-law’s (Nenow) family farms near Madison, Minn. During which time he enjoyed his time with Mary going out for dinner and casinos. Nathan treasured his annual November deer season trip near Madison which comprised of his best friends Bob (other brother) Whitehead and family, Doug Whitehead and family, along with his kids, and grandkids. He is survived by his wife, Mary Whitehead of rural Sherburn, Minn.; his three children, Jonathan (Shannon) Whitehead of Sherburn, Penny (Chad) Troe of Lakefield, Minn., and Wesley (Savannaha) Whitehead of rural Sherburn; grandchildren, Jake, Marissa, Caitlin Whitehead, Paul Troe, Dylin, Madasin Whitehead, Katelyn Hummel; and four step grandchildren; one stepgreat-grandchild; siblings, Pastor Daniel (Sherry) Whitehead of Rock Falls, Wis., David Whitehead of rural Fairmont, Minn.; Douglas (Eileen) Whitehead of Bloomington, Minn.; brother-in-law, Roger Sukalski of Sherburn; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Nathan was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Althea Whitehead; sister, Julie Sukalski; brother, Clark Whitehead; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Burdien and Jewel Nenow; other relatives and friends. www.kramerfuneralhome.com

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