Brett Anthony Dutton

Brett Anthony Dutton was born July 13, 1961 to Leonard and Marilyn Dutton in San Francisco, CA while Leonard was serving in the military.

Shortly after Leonard’s time in the military the family returned to Idalia, CO, to begin their lives on the farm founded by Brett’s grandfather, Cassius Dutton, the place that will shape him for the rest of his life. In September 1962, twin boys Dave and Dan joined the family. Brett and his brothers grew up thick as thieves, close and full of mischief. What one didn’t think of, the others did.

Brett took to farming at a young age, working the land alongside his father and finding in it a deep and lasting passion. He farmed with his father until the farm sale in 1985, and then struck out on his own, working his own operation until 2005. Ever the entrepreneur, he then purchased a semi and spent the next twelve years trucking, logging many miles and making countless friends along the way. In 2017, he discovered what it was like to work for someone other than himself- it took a little getting used to, but he did it. He held a couple of different jobs and made some wonderful friends before health reasons required him to step away from work in August 2025.

Brett attended Idalia School from kindergarten through graduation. He was the kind of student who never needed to study-things just came naturally to him. Though not particularly athletic, he had a great love for FFA, earning many honors and awards along the way.

It was while cruising Main Street in Burlington that Brett met the love of his life, Joni, through mutual friends. They married on March 1, 1980, and together built a life full of love and laughter. Their family grew with the arrival of two sons-Brenden on April 28, 1994, and Jason on September 11, 1997. Brett delighted in every moment of fatherhood, from cheering at Halloween parades to watching his boys play sports as they grew older.

When he wasn’t working, Brett could often be found on the golf course, tending to his garden, or listening to classic rock-and best of all –loving on his grandchildren. Those seven grandkids knew they had someone in their corner who thought the world of them.

Brett passed away April 19, 2026 at Regent Park Nursing Home in Holyoke, CO at the age of 64 years old. Brett was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Marilyn Dutton.

Brett is survived by his wife, Joni, of Idalia, CO; sons Brenden and wife Kortnee of Wray, CO, and Jason and wife Emma of Smithville, MO; brothers Dave and wife Robin of Leesville, LA, and Dan and wife Teressa of Wichita, KS; grandchildren Jackson, Laurel, Briggs, Collins, Sloane, Lizzie and Dene, and many other beloved family members and friends.

Memorials may be made out to the St. John Church and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell funeral Home at 211 N Main Ave., Goodland, Kansas 67735.