LUSK – David Dennis Vetter, 87, passed away on January 17, 2026, in Lusk. Dennis was born April 24, 1938, in Denver, to David and Helen Vetter. Dennis, the oldest of four boys, grew up north of Bennett, on the family’s dryland wheat farm. He enjoyed cowboying on their ranch south of Bennett. Dennis loved to rodeo, riding bareback horses, calf roping and team roping.
Dennis served in the U.S. Army in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He married Joyce Becker on May 24, 1960, and they were together over 65 years. Together, Dennis and Joyce had four children: Melinda, Dan, Chrissy and Penney. The family loved and enjoyed Penny for nine months.
Dennis and Joyce ranched and farmed in Colorado, but Dennis always wanted a ranch of his own, so in 1983 the family moved to the OW Ranch north of Lusk. In 2001 Dennis, Joyce and Dan moved to their ranch near Lance Creek. Dennis thoroughly enjoyed the Lance Creek community and his many friends near and far.
Dennis and Joyce loved watching their kids and grandkids in sports and 4-H activities.
Dennis enjoyed good cattle, good horses and good dogs.
Dennis is survived by his wife, Joyce, son, Dan, daughters, Melinda Lambrecht and Chrissy (Blake) Ochsner; brother, Bruce (Sandi) Vetter, sisters-in-law, Sandy Vetter and Beverly Vetter; grandsons Josh (Krystal), J.D. (Sherry) and Jed Lambrecht, and B.W. (Terra) Ochsner; granddaughters Keli (Chris) Hoschouer, Ashley (Chris) Mason, and Katie (Devin) Martin; great-grandsons Dante and Gunnar Lambrecht, Nate Fabian, Cody Ochsner and Memphis and Cash Mason; and great-granddaughters Annika and Olivia Ochsner and Winona Martin.
Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, infant daughter, Penney Raylene, brothers, Gerald and Gary, and son-in-law, Terry Lambrecht.
Services will be held Monday, January 26, at 2 p.m. at the Niobrara County Fairgrounds in Lusk. Interment will follow at the Lusk cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be given to the Lusk EMS, Niobrara Senior Center or the Niobrara County Fairgrounds for a tree in honor of Dennis.
Pier Funeral Home of Lusk is in charge of arrangements.
