Dennis Paul O’Dea and his twin brother Dean Patrick were born July 30, 1936, in Philip, the son of John and Edna (Bennett) O’Dea. He attended the Empire and Fairplay rural schools and his mother Edna later home schooled the kids for a time. He then attended Philip High School.
On October 17, 1956, he married Marlene Keyser at the Dowling Church located one mile south of her parents’ home on Ash Creek, and to this union were born three children.
During his life Dennis worked in various occupations including road construction, the gold mine in Lead, various ranches around Philip, operated the Mitchell Sale Barn, owned a ranch near Newell and later near Harrold, and owned and operated O’Dea Trucking and Central Diesel Repair in Ft. Pierre. He later worked for Altendorf Implement and retired from Moody Implement in Pierre.
Dennis is survived by one daughter Debbie Hapney and her husband Randy of Quinn, and their children Rocky (Pam) of Floresville, Texas, Levi (Kyli) of Quinn, Jessie (Travis Sharp) of New Underwood, and Bailey of Quinn; one son Mike O’Dea and his wife Krista and their boys Nathan, Brandon and Austin of Philip; three great-grandchildren Harley and Houston Hapney and Adyson Sharp; seven brothers, Jack O’Dea and his wife Charlotte of Midland, Dean O’Dea of Vale, Gene O’Dea of Hot Springs, Jim O’Dea and his wife Vonnie of Howes, Jerry O’Dea of Altoona, Iowa, Leo O’Dea of Vermillion, and Richard O’Dea of Hot Springs; seven sisters Maurine Hagler of Meridian, Idaho, Bonna Hagler of Nampa, Idaho, Phyllis Coleman and her husband Marvin of Quinn, Lillian DeKnikker and her husband Eddie of Gettysburg, Lorraine Smith of Emmett, Idaho, Mary Bauer of Rapid City, and Rosella O’Bryan and her husband Tom of Bagley, Minnesota. 
Dennis was preceded in death by Marlene O’Dea on June 5, 1998; an infant daughter Tina; and his parents.
Visitation was held 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, July 26, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip, with a vigil service at 7:00 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial was held 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 27, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip, with Father Kevin Achbach as celebrant.
Interment was at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established.

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Friday, July 27, 2012 - 10:00 a.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota

CELEBRANT
Father Kevin Achbach

MUSIC
Marianne Frein - Pianist
Shelby Schofield - Vocalist
“I Heard The Voice of Jesus”
“Be Not Afraid”
“How Great Thou Art”
“Amazing Grace”

LECTOR
Lloyd Frein

ALTAR SERVERS
Paul Guptill - Sammie Schofield

EUCHARTISTIC MINISTERS
Joe Gittings - Kathy Gittings

USHERS
Jack Hansen - Larry Gabriel

ACTIVE PALLBEARERS
Nathan O’Dea - Brandon O’Dea
Austin O’Dea - Rocky Hapney
Levi Hapney - Travis Sharp - Gui Bauer

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

INTERMENT
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota