Curtis Dokken

Curtis Dokken, 87, of Hatton, ND passed away Friday, August 28, 2020 at Luther Memorial Home in Mayville, ND. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 2, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Hatton. A visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the service at the church. A luncheon will follow the service at the church, followed by interment at St. John Cemetery.  Due to COVID-19, the use of masks and social distancing are recommended.  

Curtis was born on December 17, 1932 to Clarence and Evelyn (Johnson) Dokken near Hatton, ND.  He grew up and attended school in and around Hatton, and graduated from high school there in 1950.  After high school, he worked primarily in farming, both with his family and with other area farmers.  In 1954, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served until 1956.  He trained and served as a radio operator and spent just over half of his Army enlistment deployed to Korea.  After his honorable discharge from the Army, he worked construction at the then-new Grand Forks Air Force Base, as well as laying track for the railroad, among other jobs.  In 1957, he enrolled in Hanson Auto School in Fargo, ND to begin his lifelong vocation of auto body repair.  In 1958, he established Curt’s Body Shop in Hatton, sharing space with another business, Art’s Repair, until 1960.  From 1960 to 1975, he operated his shop in two locations on Railroad Ave. W., and from 1975 until his retirement in 1996, he operated his shop on Railroad Ave. E.

Curtis met Ina Alvira Tangen while at a local dance, and they married on October 25, 1958.  They made their home and reared their five children in Hatton.  Ina’s hometown was Northwood, ND, and very sadly she passed away on December 7, 1984.  Upon his retirement, Curtis enjoyed many activities, but none more than spending time with his family and helping them in any and every way that he possibly could.  When it came to doing things for his family, no burden seemed to be too great.  He had a lifelong affinity for cars, trucks, motorcycles, and pretty much all other things mechanical.  He liked working on vehicles and other projects in his home shop and garage that he built in 2000.  He enjoyed traveling to see family, including his many trips to Texas, gardening, going to auction sales, and finding a “good deal”, just to name a few things.  He also very much enjoyed watching movies, Lawrence Welk, American Pickers, as well as a number of other shows.  Despite a series of substantial health challenges beginning in 2016, he was an exceptionally strong man in body, mind, and spirit.  He was very much loved and respected by his family, and will be very much missed not only by his family but also by all those who knew him throughout his 87 years, 8 months, and 11 days of life.  The family wishes to express deep appreciation for all of your thoughts, prayers, and condolences. 

Curtis is survived by:  daughter Lori (Harlan) Rasmussen, Thompson, ND; daughter Cheri (Derrick) Stallman, Northwood, ND; son Brian Dokken, Hatton, ND; daughter Annette (David) Delaney, Horace, ND; son Carter Dokken, Grand Forks, ND; sister Aldene (Reuben) Meland, Northwood, ND; grandchildren Melodie, Dean, Daniel, Melissa, Anne, Sarah, Kristen, Kelsey, Michael, Matthew, and Megan; great-grandchildren Cody, Haley, Brayden, Eli, Piper, Henry, August, Nicholas, Ethan, Zoe, Shilo, Madisan, Peyton, AlliLynn, and Terell; great-great-grandchildren Leah and Kylie; one niece; and four nephews.

Curtis was predeceased by:  his wife Ina; his parents Clarence and Evelyn; infant brother Clarence Dokken, Jr.; sister Jean Butler; brother and sister-in-law Orville and Anna Mae (Ostlie) Dokken; brother Richard Dokken; one nephew; and one niece.