Dennis Leroy Dunivan

Lola Janell Gist was born October 23, 1938, in Seminole, Oklahoma and passed away January 2, 2026. She was the third child born to Henry and Edythe Gist. The family moved to Baca County in 1945 when her dad began ranching on the Alley Ranch with his cousin Romaine Alley. She attended Mitchell School for her elementary education and transferred to Walsh High School for her secondary education. She attended business college in Denver.

Dennis Leroy Dunivan was born March 9, 1937, in Collinsville, Oklahoma and passed away January 15, 2026. Dennis was the 13th of 14 children born to Nettie Mae and Chris C. Dunivan Sr. The Dunivan family had previously lived in Baca County but had moved to Collinsville in 1935. The family returned to Baca County in 1946 and lived in Walsh. Dennis attended Walsh Public Schools and followed up with learning TV/radio repairs in Denver.

Dennis and Janell began their life journey together on September 1, 1957, completing 68 years together. They lived in Farmington, New Mexico for a short while where Dennis honed his skill as a TV/radio repairman and Janell worked for a gas company, returning to Walsh in 1960 where they have remained. Dennis joined the family farming operation, partnering with his dad Chris Sr. and his brother Chris Jr. They raised broomcorn, wheat, milo, corn, alfalfa and cattle. Dunivan Farms has received many awards from the Colorado Corn Growers Association.

Two sons were born to Dennis and Janell, Dave in 1960 and Vic in 1962. Both boys attended Walsh Public Schools and joined the family farm following graduation. They have added six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

They leave many people to mourn their passing including son Vic grandchildren Sterling (Shelby), Cody, Aspen, Tucker, Tanner and Tori, and great-grandchildren Declan, Dawson, Harper and Blayke, and one sister Sally (Delmar) Holmes of Springfield as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

They were preceded in death by their parents, son Dave (2005) grandson Colt (1992), brothers, Avis Gist, Walter, Leo, Virgil, Larry, Harold, Chris Jr., and Bill Dunivan, sisters Blanch Dunivan Eden, Lillie Dunivan, Dorthy Dunivan Powell Pilloud and Clara Dunivan Friend.