Dean K. Oja

October 17, 1944 - February 27, 2023
Dean K. Oja, 78, of Jordan, MT, formerly of Buffalo and Hill City, SD, passed away Monday, February 27, 2023 at the Garfield County Nursing Home in Jordan, MT.
Funeral Services for Dean were held Saturday, March 4, 2023 at the Old Harding County Gymnasium at 1:00 p.m. Burial followed in the Buffalo Cemetery.
Dean Keith Oja was born at the Winnie Warra house in Buffalo, SD on October 17, 1944, to Neilo and Gladys Oja. Dean joined an older sister, Dorothy, and later sisters Delena “Del” and Lenise “Lynn” and a brother, Larry completed the family.
Dean attended all his educational years in the Buffalo School system where he was active in basketball and rodeo. Dean received his signed diploma in 1982, a special moment where he graduated with his oldest daughter.
On July 8, 1963, Dean Oja married Lola Miller. From this union two daughters were born, Cheri in 1964 and Tami in 1967. Over the years “Cheri Allen” and “Ron” (Tami) became two of Dean’s best “unhired” hands. There was an abundance of tough love over the years and that was Dean’s way of showing he cared.
Dean and Lola lived and worked on various ranches before purchasing the family ranch where Dean grew up west of Buffalo. Dean also operated heavy equipment for Melvin Miller Construction as well as for D&S Construction. For a short time, Dean bartended at the “City” which was a rare occasion to interact with him on that side of the bar.
Dean was active in the Jaycees, Harding County Activities Club, Camp Crook Roping Club and Western South Dakota Buckaroos. He very much enjoyed the rodeo days with Cheri and Tami and all the “bonus” kids he gained during this time. He was especially proud to host the German Wrestling Team to a day of rodeo where the boys participated in a variety of events. Dean also was a pickup man for several years in the surrounding area. One of his favorite moments was being recognized for his contribution to the youth in rodeo. Dean spent some time team roping after the girls were grown and was proud of the belt buckle that he won in Camp Crook.
Dean was blessed with two wonderful “sons” when John and Dale entered the family in 1987 and 1988. Dean enjoyed the grandpa and great grandpa role wherein a lot of shenanigans occurred and memories were made. Trips to Gulches of Fun were highlights, no telling who enjoyed them more! Dean also enjoyed traveling and attending his granddaughter's basketball tournaments and rodeos through the years. He loved and enjoyed his grandchildren and all their activities.
In the Spring of 2008, Dean and Lola sold the ranch and retired to the beautiful heart of the Black Hills near Hill City. SD. Due to several health issues, Dean was not able to fully enjoy retirement. He did enjoy relaxing on the deck, smoking, drinking his diet soda and complaining about the traffic while enjoying the beautiful view of Harney Peak.
Dean was always ready for a trip to Deadwood. He and Lola enjoyed traveling to casino destinations, Washington DC, Smokey Mountains, Memphis, Branson, Texas, Hawaii, Colorado, Arizona and Wyoming as well as cruises to Alaska, the Bahamas and a country music event.
Dean looked forward to Easter holidays for several years when college boys would take over the house. He enjoyed the activities created for them, especially poker, Minute to Win It, Jenga and the scavenger hunts. Dean was thrilled for baseball season as the Outlaw Baseball Club team would come and stay on several occasions while playing games in the Black Hills Area.
In May of 2022 Dean made the move from South Dakota to the Garfield County Health Center in Jordan, MT. Here he made many new friends and enjoyed many activities. He loved his frequent visits from his great-grandkids and loved watching them rodeo in the summer.
Dean is survived by his daughter’s Cheri (Dale) DeCock of Colstrip, MT; Tami (John) Davies of Miles City, MT; grandson Laramie Davies and daughter, Sophie Jane of Red Lodge, MT; granddaughter Randa (Trever) Ross and sons Wade Dean and Woodrow Gene, and daughter Wyndser Raye of Jordan, MT; grandson Westin Davies and daughter Trycaen Mae, of Sidney, MT; sisters Dorothy (Buck) Mayberry of Miles City, MT and Delena Sexton of Belle Fourche, SD; brother-in-law Randy Gilbert of Deatsville, AL; brother Larry (Cathy) Oja of Aledo, TX; brother-in-law Jim (Nylla) Miller of Bowman, ND; sister-in-law Bonnie Bowers of Rapid City, SD; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Dean was preceded in death by his wife, Lola; his parents Neilo and Gladys Oja; Lola’s parents, Lyle and Charlotte Miller; his sister Lynn; his brother-in-law Larry Bowers; and nephew Jason Sexton.