David Dennis Vetter, 87, passed away on January 17, 2026, in Lusk, Wyoming. Dennis was born April 24, 1938, in Denver, Colorado, to David & Helen Vetter. Dennis, the oldest of four boys, grew up north of Bennett, Colorado, on the family's dryland wheat farm. He enjoyed cowboying on their ranch south of Bennett. Dennis loved to ride in rodeos, bareback riding, calf roping, and team roping.

Dennis served in the U.S. Army at 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 Penney 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, Wyoming.  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 26th, at 2:00 p.m. at the Niobrara County Fairgrounds in Lusk, Wyoming. Interment will follow at the Lusk cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Lusk EMS, Niobrara Senior Center, or Niobrara County Fairgrounds in honor of Dennis.

Click here for live stream the day of service.