Paul Dunseth’s Obituary

Paul Lee Dunseth, age 65, was born on October 13, 1961 and went home to God on November 5, 2026.  At 6’6”, he was a giant of a man . . . not only in stature.  Paul was an honest man; a hard worker; a loyal, steadfast friend; a patient man; a compassionate herdsman; a faithful church member; and a loving, devoted husband.

Paul was saved at the age of 13 and joined Schofield Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in 1974 where he spent his life serving as Sunday School teacher, song leader, clerk, board member, and deacon over the years.  Paul loved the Church and attended every service until his health would not allow.

Paul was preceded in death by his father Donald Leonard Dunseth [1931 – 2022], mother Barbara Lee (Parscale) Dunseth [1937 – 2008], and brother Carl Leonard Dunseth [1958 – 2004].  He is survived by his beloved wife of 17 years, Wanda; his father-in-law, Jerry Covert, of Urbana; his sister-in-law, Jerri and husband Bob Lawrence of Springfield; his brother-in-law Vince Covert of Urbana; and many cousins and dear friends.

Paul was a lifelong farmer and lived his entire life on the Dunseth Farm acreage in Halfway, Mo.  Paul was born into a family who worked the farm together and milked registered Holstein dairy cattle until 1993.  The Dunseths raised registered Salers cattle (1986 – 2024) and registered Red Angus cattle (1976 to present). Paul also planted, baled, and wrapped wheat and sorghum as silage over the years.

Growing up, the Dunseth boys never had a curfew because milking cows at the break of dawn or bucking bales the next day somehow took the shine off being out late at night. Paul and his brother Carl would give each other three days of “vacation” a year; Carl would go hunting and Paul would take livestock to Farmfest.  Paul never knew what it was like to be “off work” and thought nothing of working every day except Sunday from dawn ’til dusk no matter the weather.  In his younger years, he took pride in halter-breaking every bull he sold until time would not allow after his brother’s passing.

For much of his life, Paul enjoyed participating in tractor pulls and accumulated quite a pile of trophies.  He was a good sport and did his best to support other competitors.  Paul enjoyed his International and John Deere tractors but never got the chance to restore his vintage collection.

On May 1, 2009, Paul was united in marriage with the love of his life, Wanda Lynette Covert.  Their love story began as a genuine friendship and quickly grew into something that neither had ever dreamed possible. Even though they had a late start, they enjoyed a rare and abiding love; they treasured their time together and thanked God for the gift of each other.

For the last four years of his life, Paul was a relentless warrior, Dr. Leo’s “champion,” a miracle.  After being diagnosed with advanced, stage IV small-cell neuroendocrine cancer in October of 2022, Paul endured 42 CT/PET scans, 24 brain MRIs, 8 surgeries, 17 sessions of brain radiation, 31 sessions of abdominal radiation, and 107 infusions of chemotherapy/immunotherapy as well as many ER visits and hospitalizations. This gentle giant truly fought the good fight, all while having such a thankful, kind heart.  Special, heartfelt gratitude goes out to Dr. Leo, Bethany Martin, and the staff of Central Care Cancer Center.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 on November 8 at Pitts Chapel with Brothers Jerry Grant and Case Jones officiating.  Visitation will be November 7 from 3:00 to 5:00 in the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Schofield Chapel Missionary Baptist Church.