Turen Alfred Dunten was born to Turen “TJ” and Wilma (Miller) Dunten on April 17, 1934, in Drewsey, at the home of Emma Clark, a local RN who often served as midwife to area mothers.

Alfred grew up on his parents’ ranch with his sister Helen, brother Ray, and sister Karen. When he wasn’t romping the hills with neighbor and friend, Harvey Cronin, he helped his dad with the livestock and farming, breaking colts, riding, haying, or running heavy equipment at home and for neighbors. He worked during haying season, cutting, bucking, and stacking loose hay for cattle ranchers throughout the county.

Al loved music, a love shared by his entire family. He joined his family or other local musicians to play guitar for many dances throughout southeastern Oregon, sometimes from dark to daylight. 

After high school, he worked for Harney Co. ranchers, saving up to attend the College of Idaho. He caught the rodeo bug after competing in Saddle Bronc, thinking “maybe I could do this.” He ended up placing or winning at several local and ICA shows. When funds ran out to pay for another term of college, he drove with his rodeo buddies to compete in Houston, Texas. When he got home from that trip, his draft notice was waiting for him. He continued to rodeo whenever he could, even taking leave one weekend while stationed at Ft. Benning, Ga., to rodeo in Kissimmee, Florida.

Al served two years in the Army, mostly in Korea in the Signal Corps where he deciphered encrypted messages being sent from ships and planes passing through. He also represented the US Army on their track team, competing in Japan. 

While home on leave he met with friends where he became reacquainted with Carol Miler, the girl who lived across the road, now all grown up. After a few evenings of socializing and lots of dancing, letters began to flow between Ft. Riley, Kan. and Boise College and Drewsey. 

Though his commanders wanted him to remain in the service, Al’s heart was set on ranching so when his term of service was up, he was honorably discharged and came back to Harney County to start working again. Al went to work for Eldon Catterson at Don Dryer’s Pine Creek Ranch, Carol graduated from college and accepted the teaching job at Pine Creek Grade School for that fall and, on June 17, 1961, Al and Carol were married. 

Not quite a year later, in May 1962 their son, Turen Alfred Dunten, Jr. was born in Burns. A year later, their family was complete when their daughter, Cheryl Anne was born in July 1963. The family went to work for the V-Dash Cattle Co, where Al worked for Ken and Anne Bentz. He worked there until 1966 when they moved to the Miler Ranch to help Carol’s parents, Chas and Norma Miler on their ranch. Al and Carol joined with Joel Sword, Tom Howard, Jim Sitz, Laddie Clark, TJ Dunten and Elmer Baker, to purchase Victor Cleveland’s ranch at Van, forming the Van Grazing Co-op, and allowing Al and Carol to expand to a yearling/cow/calf operation, which Al took great pride in.

Al was a deeply loving husband and father, excellent business manager and stockman. He was honest to the core, loved his family, neighbors, and God. Al passed away on March 8, 2026. Al was preceded in death by his younger sister, Karen; his parents; and niece, Mitzi Defenbaugh. He is survived by his wife of almost 65 years, Carol; his son, Tad and wife, Rosemary (Bradach) Dunten of Hines; daughter, Anne and husband, Seth Johnson of Pendleton; sister, Helen Sargent of Baker City; brother, Ray Dunten and his wife, Kathleen (Arntz) of Hines; granddaughter, Kaylyn and Victor; and great-grandson, Rogan McClintock; granddaughter, Megan and Tygh and great-granddaughter, Indy Campbell; and grandsons, Jake and Josh McKelvey. He is also survived by nieces, Katie Tracy, Liz Corbett, Amie Scott, Taresa Michna; and nephews, Andy Sargent, Ross Defenbaugh and Jason Dunten and their families who all meant a great deal to Alfred.

There will be a Mass of Christian burial at the Drewsey Hall at 11 a.m., on Wednesday, March 18, followed by a graveside service at the Drewsey Cemetery, and then music and a potluck luncheon at the hall. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to the Crane Chapter of the FFA.