ESPANOLA, New Mexico—John E. Nalean passed away January 30, 2026, in Espanola, New Mexico. John was born to Charles Nalean Jr. and Coletta (Kane) Nalean on August 20, 1951. He grew up on the family farm south of Beaver, and attended Beaver Consolidated School and then Ogden Community Schools.
John was an excellent athlete and was salutatorian of his 1969 Ogden High School graduating class. After high school, John attended the University of Iowa. He enrolled in the army in 1971 and served as a company clerk at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He was honorably discharged from the army and eventually returned home to farm southwest of Ogden.
John later worked many years on the road in various sales jobs. He settled in New Mexico in 2016 and lived there until his death.
John is survived by his daughter Stacey (Doug) Nalean-Carlson of Decorah and son Bobby (Anna) Nalean of Des Moines; brothers Loren (Lisa) Nalean of Boone, Steve (Marti) Nalean of Ogden, and sister Susan Nalean of Boone; and three grandchildren, Aidan, Keaton, and Logan Nalean-Carlson. In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his son Michael Charles Nalean.
Interment will be at Glenwood Cemetery in Ogden at a later date.
John Nalean, 74, Espanola, New Mexico
About the Author
