Raymond Duane Dean Jr., age 69 of Artesian, SD died Saturday, August 20, 2016 at his home. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Wednesday, August 24, 2016 at St. Charles Catholic Church in Artesian. Burial will be at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Artesian. Visitation will be from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Tuesday, August 23, 2016 at the Will Funeral Chapel with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 PM.

Raymond Duane Dean Jr, son of Raymond and Margaret (Clark) Dean was born August 10, 1947 in Mitchell, SD.  He attended Diana Country School and graduated from Artesian High School in 1965.  After high school, Junior worked with his uncle in the construction industry in Illinois.

Junior married Jerolyn K. Tysdal on November 4, 1967 in Artesian, SD.  They settled on the farm near Artesian.  Junior worked for the Artesian Honey Producers and farmed until health issues forced him into retirement.

Junior was an active member of the First Lutheran Church in Artesian, SD. He served on the Afton Township Board for many years.  Junior was a hardworking man and did not hesitate to tackle a difficult task.  He enjoyed life on the farm and spending time with family and friends.  Junior loved being a husband, father, grandfather, and hunting/fishing with his boys and grandkids.  He was an avid supporter of his grandkids' activities.  Junior and Jerolyn liked traveling and leave behind many unfinished plans.

Grateful for having shared in his life are his wife Jerolyn, three sons, Richard (Jennie), Russell (Carmin) both of Brandon and Ryan (Paula) of Sioux Falls; four grandchildren Cassandra, Trevor, Sam, Mason; four step grandchildren, Balaun (Eric), Tiffany, Ashley and Jeremy; one step  great-grandchild Remington.

Junior is survived by three brothers, Marion (Deanna)  of Artesian, Henry (Mary)  of Brandon, William (Connie) of South Carolina; 6 sisters, Eleanor Dean of South Carolina, Ruth Nelson of Colorado, Audrey (Barry) Schmelzer of Illinois, Margie (Mario) Mercado of Germany, Katie (Dave) Galbraith of Iowa, Deb Doonan of Mississippi; a brother-in-law Mick McGraw of Arizona and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, three sisters and brothers-in-law; Arlene (Wilmer) Schoenfelder, Deanna (Tenis) Snyder, Betty McGraw and Jon Nelson.

Junior passed away at home on August 20, 2016 and the age of 69 years and 10 days.