A visitation to honor the life and memory of Dr. Kevin Dunlavey age 71, of Blaine, formerly of Jackson, will be held Sunday, July 7th from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center in Jackson.

Dr. Kevin Dunlavey passed away peacefully with family at his side on Tuesday, June 25th, 2024, at Edgemont Place in Blaine, MN.

Kevin John Dunlavey was born on February 27, 1953, in Jackson, MN, to Vernon (Ike) and Ethel (Lesch) Dunlavey. Kevin graduated from Jackson High School in 1971 and attended college and graduate school at the University of Minnesota. During his freshman year of college, Kevin met his future wife, Anita (Krause), in their co-ed dorm, and they were married on October 30, 1976. Following completion of the Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1979, Kevin began his 40-year career in family dentistry in Jackson. The couple arrived in Jackson with their newborn son, Ryan, and their family was complete with the addition of their daughters, Megan and Kaitlin.

Kevin lived in Jackson for 61 years of his life. In addition to his dental practice, he was active in the community as a Jaycee, 25-year member of the Jackson Lions Club, elder in the First Presbyterian Church, and a board member of the Jackson Federal Savings and Loan Association. Kevin enjoyed golfing, hunting, and camping with friends and family. He could often be seen walking or biking on the trails or walking his dogs in the west end neighborhood. Kevin agreed, with his wife, to train to complete a marathon, as this was on her "bucket list". They completed a walking marathon in 2013 with him being very proud of his efforts as he had the fastest time in his age group.

Kevin's passion was sports, whether participating, coaching, or watching in person or on TV. His greatest joy was found when his own children were in sports, and his pride was evident when they were on the court or field as he videotaped the games. This joy and pride were most recently evident with his grandchildren's participation in sports. This prompted his desire to be closer to them to attend every game possible and led to a move to Ham Lake, MN, in July 2022. Kevin was also very proud of his children's academic achievements with all attending his alma mater to complete their doctorate degrees in dentistry or medicine.

Some of Kevin's fondest memories included the numerous trips to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area with his children, their friends, family and close friends. He felt most serene and "in his element" when in the presence of the beauty of nature.

Kevin is survived by his wife of 47 years, Anita; and their three children and families, Dr. Ryan (Dr. Lisa Power—Dunlavey) Dunlavey and their children, Landon, Hudson and Lauren of Blaine, MN, Dr. Megan (Dan) Meyers and their children, Jack and Maggie of Eau Claire, WI, and Dr. Kaitlin (Joseph) Sullivan and their children, Collin and Everett of Andover, MN. Kevin is also survived by his three siblings, LeeAnn (Brian) Steen of Sherburn, MN, Ellie (Jonathan) Berg of Stillwater, MN, and Kirk (Laura) Dunlavey of Jackson; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends. Kevin was preceded in death by his parents, Ike and Ethel Dunlavey.

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the staff at Edgemont Place and Ecumen Hospice for their kind and compassionate care of Kevin this past year. We are saddened by this loss of our husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, but are joyful as we reflect on his life well-lived.

"Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but the moments that take our breath away."

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that memorial donations, if so desired, be made to Jackson Lions Club, a service organization that Kevin was very proud to be a member of in support of the Jackson community.