Dale DunningEureka, KS

Dale Dunning, 74, Eureka, KS, passed away on September 13, 2026, in Wichita, KS, following a brief illness, surrounded by several of his beloved family members.  Dale was born April 30, 1952, in WaKeeney, KS, to parents Richard and Marie (Manny) Dunning, who are both deceased.  He grew up in Hill City, KS, and was a longtime resident on his ranch in the Flint Hills near Eureka, KS, where he raised a small herd of cattle.  He also worked in the chemistry department at the oil refinery in El Dorado, KS, for many years until his retirement in 2009. What brought him the most joy was establishing a ranch, improving it, raising their cattle, and building a beautiful home.

Survivors include his wife Debra (Lane) Dunning of El Dorado, KS; six brothers and one sister and their spouses:  Leon Dunning and Dolores Dunning (deceased) of Fort Worth, TX, Earl and Geraldine Dunning of Arlington, TX, Duane and Joan Dunning of Charleston, SC, Glenn and Joanne Dunning of Martinsville, VA, Craig and Tammy Dunning of Lawrence, KS, Kent and Michelle Dunning of Trinidad, CO, and sister Nadine Dunning and husband Kerry Blue of Albuquerque, NM. Dale is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Dale loved to hunt and fish.  He and his brothers would meet in their hometown of Hill City, KS, to pheasant and dove hunt for many years.  The brothers all treasure the times spent together on these hunts, playing their favorite card games, reminiscing about the good and difficult times growing up, and playing practical jokes on one another.

Dale was an avid supporter of his community in Eureka, sponsoring rodeo events and donating a historic schoolhouse to the community, to name just a few.

One of our most cherished memories was a family Thanksgiving hosted by Dale and Debra at their home in the Flint Hills on a cold, snowy winter night in November 1993.  After finding our way on those twisty back roads in the snow and dark, 26 Dunning family members gathered at their home to celebrate Thanksgiving together.

A celebration of life will be scheduled for a later date for his family and close friends.  No burial will be planned, as he wished to be cremated, with his ashes to be dispersed to the sky, the land, and the water on his beloved ranch in the Flint Hills near Eureka, Kansas.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dale Dunning, please visit our floral store.