Louis F. Dean Jr., 73, Belle Fourche, formerly of White River, SD, went to rest with the Lord on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Heartland Senior Living, in Spearfish.

Born May 26, 1952, in Kadoka, SD to Louis Faye Dean Sr. and Florence Omdahl. Louis was the first of five children. Spending his first years in the Grindstone area before moving to Philip, where he attended school and graduated in 1971. These years in Grindstone started his love for the western and ranching lifestyle. He would do day labor for family and friends, before being introduced to trucking.

Louis lived a full life and there is no way to do it justice or fit it all in one page. In fact, he is probably cringing at this because he was an amazing storyteller and missed his mark at becoming a writer. He loved to talk and would talk to anyone and everyone. He made friends from coast to coast. We would always be amazed that we could walk in somewhere, even in another state, and he would know someone. Another thing he loved was history, he knew a lot of family history as he was one of the kids that absorbed that as a youngin’.

From rodeoing to judging rodeos (his son-in-law has stories of his own about him over his years rodeoing), working for Jay Crowser and building saddles and tack, working as a ranch hand through the years (many of those years for Adrian’s that including driving truck OTR), driving truck, and hauling cattle and buffalo across the U.S. and Canada, hauling loads with a flatbed and teaching his kids how to properly tarp and strap a load, being a volunteer fire fighter, his love of flying (he had his pilot’s license), being a foreman on a demolition crew in Wyoming. As you can see, he had a lot of life experiences and if we had a question, we usually knew he had an answer. His health decline impacted him greatly the last decade or so.

The things he was most proud of in this life were his children, grandchildren, and his great-grandchildren. He wanted more time with them, but he was grateful for the time he had. He really cherished his friendships. Many of those friendships turned into family.

He is leaving a lot of good stories and memories behind, as well as a lot of broken hearts. But our hope is when you think of him, it brings a smile or a good laugh (or both). We will miss the many phone calls a day to check in on us. Life is already a lot dimmer.

Louis is survived by his children, LuKasey (Heath) and Justin (Darla); Grandchildren, Alexis(Thane), Ashton, Jayden, Danae, and Daniel; Great-grandchildren, Sutton and Aceyn; Former partner, Rita; Siblings, LouAnn, Jack, Bill (Wanda), and Janet (Mike); Brothers-in-law, Larry and Harlan (Toni), many nieces and nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Louis was preceded in death by his parents, brothers-in-law, Bob and Leo.

Cremation has taken place and services are pending for a future date and time. Updates will be made when date and time are set.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel & Isburg Crematory of Spearfish, SD.