Olen Lavern Dunn Jr., 65, died November 4, 2012, at his home with his family by his side.

A memorial service will be held 2:00pm on Friday, November 9, 2012 at Kinkade Funeral Chapel with Chaplain Randy Bradley officiating. Inurnment will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery with military honors provided by the Sturgis Veterans Honor Guard. A time of fellowship will then be held at the Calvary Baptist Church in Sturgis.

Olen was an only child born on November 7, 1946, to Olen and Marion (Todd) Dunn at Indianapolis, Indiana. On August 27, 1975, he married the love of his life, Sharon Halverson and to this union two daughters were born. Olen enlisted in the Air Force on April 29, 1966, and that began a career with the military that lasted twenty years. During those years, he became a very skilled jet engine mechanic, a job that took him to several places in the United States and to Germany.

Olen was a family man with a lot of love in his heart. He never met a stranger and was a "dad" to many of his daughter's friends. He loved to make people laugh with a good joke or even a well-timed practical joke. Olen was always there with words of wisdom and had a constant love for life. He was very proud of his son-in-laws and was always proud to fill his role as "papa" to his grandchildren. He also had a special place in his heart for his many pets throughout the years, especially the three dogs that were with him until the end.

He enjoyed many different things in life including riding motorcycles and in his '56 Chevy, Elvis Presley, and was a big movie and music buff.

He was a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, The Retired Enlistment Association, Disabled Veterans Association, and Paralyzed Veterans of America.

Olen is survived by his loving wife, Sharon; his mother, Marion Fountain; daughters, Trisha (Dan) Roe of Sturgis, and Trina (Corey) Norris of Rapid City; four granddaughters, one grandson; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ronald and Jewel Halverson of Belle Fourche.

Preceding him are his grandparents, and his father, Olen Dunn, Sr.

A memorial has been established to a fund for the college education of his grandchildren.

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