Donald Martin Dokken

Donald Dokken, 81, of Willmar, died Monday, July 4, 2022, at Bethesda Grand Nursing Home in Willmar.

His funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 12, at Eagle Lake Lutheran Church in Willmar with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church.  Interment will be in the church cemetery.  Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar, www.hafh.org.

Donald Martin Dokken was born November 25, 1940, in Willmar, Minnesota, to Martin and Clara (Syverson) Dokken.  He attended country school near Eagle Lake and Willmar High School, graduating in 1959.  He was a member of the undefeated conference championship football teams in 1957 and 1958.  Following high school, he attended the Willmar Vo-tech, before going to work for Chappell Duct.  In 1964, he married Darlene Bang and they lived in Willmar, Burnsville, and Fairbanks, Alaska.  Together they raised their children: Kim and Kevin.  On April 29, 1989, Don married Janet Pederson at Fairbanks Lutheran Church.  Don worked as business manager and later business agent for Sheet Metal Workers Local 72/23 in Fairbanks for many years.  The apprenticeship building was named the Dokken Training Center in honor of all his years of service.  They lived in Fairbanks until Don’s retirement in 2003 and moved back to Willmar in 2004.

Don was an active member of Fairbanks Lutheran Church and later Eagle Lake Lutheran Church.  He served as president of Fairbanks Building and Construction Trade Association.  Don loved playing hockey and played on his team into his 50s.  He even bought new skates so that he could go skating in his late 70s.  Don also enjoyed hunting, camping, snowmobiling, going to the casino, and playing cards, especially 31 with his grandkids.  Don’s family meant everything to him.  Grandpa was always there for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife: Janet; two children: Kimberly (Steve) Mitlyng of Watson, MN and Kevin (Cheryl) Dokken of Superior, WI; a stepson: Douglas (Melainie) Pederson of St. Cloud, MN; and four grandchildren: Klaire Randall and her children Madden and Mya, Joe (Hunter) Mitlyng and their children Louie and Briar, Damon (Shelby) Pederson and their child Amaretta, and Megan Pederson.   Also surviving are two siblings: James (Hilde) Dokken and Janet (Allan) Hillstrom, both of Willmar, MN; a brother-in-law: Herbie Sharstrom; and several nieces and nephews.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; sisters: Arlene Sharstrom and Delores Kottwitz; brother-in-law: Henry Kottwitz; and stepson: Scott Pederson.

We loved him dearly and will miss him so much. 

A thank you to Bethesda Memory Care for their care and a special thank you to David and Peggy Sharstrom for all the trips and help during this difficult time. They really were our knights in shining armor.

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