The Funeral Service for Dean C. LaDue, age 80 of Keldron, SD will be held at 11:00AM Saturday, October 14, 2017 at the Grace Baptist Church in Bison with Pastor Phil Hahn, officiating. Following a luncheon and time of fellowship at the Grand Electric Social Room, burial will be in the Prairie City Cemetery at Prairie City, SD.

Serving as casketbearers are Kent, Brittney, Bethany, an Brian LaDue; Scott, Vicki and Levi Walters, and Jessie Eng.

Dean Clarke LaDue was born on October 7, 1937 in Santa Ana, CA to Clarke and Irene (Goerndt) LaDue. He attended grade school in California. Two brothers, Gary and Robert joined the family and when Dean was 12, they all returned to the family homestead near Prairie City, SD. He attended Strool School for 7th and 8th grade and graduated in 1955 from Lemmon High School. He met his sweetheart, Jean Dayton in high school and they would often attend youth outings at the Barnes farm north of Lemmon. Jean was instrumental in leading Dean to Christ during this time.

Dean attended Black Hills Teachers College in Spearfish, SD. He was offered a scholarship if he would commit to playing basketball and baseball for four years. But after his father died at age 48, Dean chose to return to the farm to assist his mother with the duties there. While helping on the farm, he also taught at the Pleasantview and North Strool Schools. Dean and Jean were married on June 1, 1958 in Lemmon. They stayed on the farm for 4 years and then went to work at the Klein Ranch south of McIntosh. Ronna Jean and Kenton Dean were born while living there. Dean and Jean moved to the ranch south of Keldron, SD where they stayed for nearly 50 years. Dean had a God-given eye for quality cattle and he enjoyed his time on horseback.

Dean was a quiet man and was full of much wisdom. He was known for his giving heart and compassion for others. He wanted all those who he knew to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Dean had a special bond with his Savior and loved His beautiful creation and enjoyed being outdoors especially working with cattle. When Dean became unable to physically work on the ranch due to his failing health, he still enjoyed drives in his pickup to the local sale barns, feed store, or to visit friends.

One of Dean’s greatest joys was being able to help young people and couples get started in the cattle business by allowing them to run share cows. He loved to share stories from his past and had a knack for telling great jokes. Dean was passionate about supporting education and giving to the Lord’s work. He was a long time member of the Grace Baptist Church in Bison, SD and was a member of the Gideons for many years.

Dean passed away peacefully, on his 80th birthday, in Hettinger, ND, with his family by his side. Surviving family members include his son, Kent and Janet LaDue of Meadow, SD, 3 grandchildren, Brittney, Bethany and Brian LaDue; Brothers Gary and Margie LaDue, Newell, SD and Bob and Dee Nelson, Bandon, Oregon; brother-in-law, Lowell and Dorothy Dayton, Lemmon, SD; two sisters-in-law, Myrna (Wilcox) and Cal Nikont, Lemmon, SD, Verna Burton, Spring Valley, OH, and Julie Dayton, Lander, WY; uncle Fritz and Ruby Goerndt Baker, MT, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; and longtime family friends, Dale Campbell, Scott, Vicki and Levi Walters, Keldron, SD, Jessie and Dale Eng, Keldron, SD and Lloyd and Carol Dale, Lemmon SD.

Dean was preceded in death by his wife Jean (2009), daughter Ronna, (2004), mother Irene Kolb, step father, Lee Kolb, and father Clarke LaDue.

A memorial has been established.