Darla Dockter

Darla Jo Dockter was born March 27, 1969, to Paul and Kathleen (Rheault) Thompson in Fargo, ND, growing up near the fork of the Red River and the Wild Rice River, south of Fargo. She attended Jefferson Elementary, Agassiz Junior High, and graduated from Fargo South High School in 1987. After graduation, she attended North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) in Wahpeton, ND. She earned an Associate’s Degree in accounting. She was employed by RBF Contracting in Moorhead as their office manager/treasurer.

August 25, 1990, she was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, John Dockter, at Atonement Lutheran Church in Fargo. Their early years of marriage were spent mentoring high school students in technical theater at Fargo South High and also traveling and experiencing the outdoors.

Darla and John had three kids together.  She was a very devoted mother who loved teaching and watching her kids learn. She was so proud of her family and took every opportunity to share her passions and travel with them.  Darla volunteered for all of her kid’s activities whenever she had a chance, being a room parent, providing meals for theater rehearsal, Boy Scouts, PTA, Bruin Booster Club, and others.

Darla died Monday, September 18, 2023, at Essentia Health, in Fargo. Preceding her in death were her grandparents; uncle, Pete Meyer; father-in-law, LeRoy Dockter; and other aunts and uncles.

Darla is survived by her husband, John Dockter; son, Mitchell; daughters, Michaela and Emma; parents, Paul and Kathy Thompson; sister, Sheila (Al) Schmidt and her kids; aunt, Darlene Meyer; mother-in-law, Mary Ellen; brother-in-law, Ken (Rhonda) and his children; sister-in-law, Melanie (Scott) Nordhougen and their daughters; and other family members.

Visitation will be Friday, September 22, 2023, from 5 - 6:30 PM, with a prayer service and time of sharing at 6:30 PM, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Fargo. Her celebration of life will be Saturday, September 23, 2023, at the church.  Visitation will begin at 10 AM, followed by the celebration service at 11 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given in her memory to Essentia Health - Fargo Foundation Cancer Center Fund, Fargo Public Schools Foundation, Boy Scouts of America Northern Sky District, or the charity of your choice.

To view a video tribute created by Darla's family, please follow this link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v7AddZ6v0uGHU8y0Udblo9BmX-pYwlwb/view?usp=sharing