Catherine Dokken, 88, Moorhead, MN, passed away on Saturday, August 3, 2013 at ManorCare Health Services in Fargo, ND.
Catherine Charlotte Dokken was born on September 29, 1924, to Norwegian immigrant parents, Joe and Caroline (Didrikson) Olson, on a farm near Beltrami, MN. She attended school in Beltrami and graduated as valedictorian of the class in 1942. She went to Fairview School of X-ray Technology in Minneapolis, MN. She was employed as a technologist by Midway Hospital and the Earl Clinic, both in St. Paul, MN.
Catherine and Willis Dokken were married on August 16, 1947, in Beltrami. They lived in St. Paul until moving to Moorhead in 1951. Catherine was a "stay at home mom" until their youngest child was in fifth grade. She always felt that these years were the best years of her life. Later, she worked for the Moorhead School District, the Clay County Court House, and the Moorhead Technological Institute, as it was then called. In particular, she enjoyed tutoring grade school students in reading.
Catherine and Willis were long-time members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead. She taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She was active on serving committees and a long-time member of the Bible Study Circle and the Prayer Chain. Catherine was a wonderful mother who was deeply committed to the welfare of her children. She spent 25 years caring and advocating for her son, Richard, who suffered from schizophrenia.
She is survived by two sons, Dr. Douglas Dokken, St Paul and Craig Dokken, Moorhead; one daughter, Julie Dokken, Fargo; two sisters-in-law, Ila (Dokken) Gast and Lottie Olson; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband; her son, Richard; her parents; seven brothers and sisters; and sixteen brothers and sisters-in-law.
Visitation for Catherine will be held on Wednesday from 5:30-7 PM in Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead. A Memorial Service will be on Thursday, August 8, 2013 at 11 AM in Trinity Lutheran Church, Moorhead. Burial at Riverside Cemetery, Moorhead to follow
The family requests memorials go to the Trinity Foundation or the Great Plains Food Bank.