Clifford Dockter
April 11, 1930 – August 12, 2022
On August 12, 2022, Clifford Dockter peacefully passed away at the age of 92 in his home at The Meadows assisted living facility in Garrison, ND. That day, many of his close friends from the Meadows gathered outside his apartment in heartfelt prayer for Cliff. He was born April 11, 1930, to parents John D Dockter (Long John) and Caroline “Carrie” Dockter (Spear) in their home at Lincoln Valley, ND. He was preceded in death by his wife Jeanette and his seven siblings and their spouses: Edwin, Albert, Harold (wife Lily), Berthold (wife Mary), Ida (husband Hilbert Schimke), Ervin, and Violet (husband Edwin Schott) – he was the youngest child. He was also preceded in death by parents-in-law Luke and Eva Boozenny (Haluzak), brothers-in-law Jim Boozenny and Ted Sander, and nephew James Schimke.
Cliff grew up on his family’s farm and loved riding horses. He completed 8th grade at the rural Homes Consolidated School house, riding his horse 6 miles round trip each day. He graduated high school in 1950 from Butte, ND, and was passionate about playing high-school basketball.
On Sep. 18, 1955, he married Jeanette Marlene Boozenny of Butte, ND at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Butte. He then whisked her away to Bellmead/Waco, Texas where he was enlisted as a veterinary technician providing care for horses at the Conolly US Air Force base. While living in Texas their children Michal, Fern, and John were born. In 1963 they moved to St. Louis Park, MN where they worked and lived until 1995. Their 4th child Eva was born in 1970.
Cliff worked as a Quality Engineer and Manufacturing Plant Manager for Robinson Rubber Products, Co., helping it to become a successful privately owned business which still operates today. Cliff had some interesting hobbies – in the mid-1980’s he began making homemade wine from grapes growing in his backyard – it was a hit with family and friends, so he kept making wines from a variety of fruit for about 35 years. There were many fun family gatherings where everyone enjoyed Cliff’s wine. Cliff was also a serious lapidary (gemstone cutter), which he performed out of his home for about 40 years. The gemstones he cut were exquisite, and of the highest quality. Over the decades, he made many trips to Montana with family and friends to mine sapphires from bedrock in public accessible mines, as well as visiting other gem-rich mines in the US to find stones to cut. Cliff’s generosity was enormous using the jewelry he made as gifts for family and friends, and donating many pieces to charity organizations like Camp of the Cross (Garrison, ND) to auction for fund raising. Cliff also greatly enjoyed fishing, especially with Jeanette. They caught so many walleye there was always walleye in the freezer when you went to see them – funny thing is – later in life Cliff admitted he doesn’t like eating fish – go figure!
In 1995 Cliff and Jeanette retired and moved to Garrison, ND, immediately becoming involved in and supporting the local community by their involvement in St. Paul Lutheran Church of Garrison, Lamplighters Senior Citizens Center, Butte American Legion, Camp of the Cross, local businesses and neighbors. They loved their new community and were very happy to live there and be involved. Jeanette passed away in 2001, which was a hard blow for Cliff, and he has missed her dearly – but he persevered and continued his enthusiastic community involvement and support for the remainder of his years. He loved playing cards and socializing with his community friends and family. Cliff started and ran a men’s bible study at his church during the last several years of his life. He was a man of strong faith in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. He was always supportive of his family, and was very proud of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. The Dockter family always greatly enjoyed the annual July 4th celebration party and fireworks at Cliff’s house in Garrison. He was known for his kindness, generosity, gentleness, and humility, being a very social and outgoing person loved by many people.
Cliff is survived by his children Michal Marie Gallup (husband Scott), Fern Mae Dockter, John David Dockter (significant other Cindy Vavra), and Eva Carol Kathmann (husband Kevin); sister-in-law Nell Sander (Boozenny); nephews DuWayne Dockter, Ronald Schimke (wife Patty), and Dennis Schott (wife Lois); nieces Berna Dockter, Vicky Aas, and Julie Ann Budeau (husband Jim); grand-children Marcel Dockter (wife Jennifer), Alexander Gallup (wife Ashley), Leeza Vollmer, Jordyn Kathmann, Luke Kathmann, and Aleta Dockter; and great grandchildren Adalynn, Lauryn, Leighton and Levi. We know he is happy to have now rejoined Jeanette in Heaven.
Cliff’s funeral service will take place at 11:00 AM, Saturday, August 20, 2022 with a public visitation starting at 10:00 AM at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 622 5TH ST NE, Garrison, ND 58540. Lunch and social time will follow in the church. Burial will be at 2:00 PM that same day at Butte, ND Cemetery located 1 mile north of Butte on Hwy 33 and 30th St. N.
Donations of flowers for the service may be ordered from Flowers N Things, 31 N Main, Garrison, ND 58549, 701-463-2003.
Charitable donations in Clifford’s name may be made to organizations he supported:
Garrison Lamplighter’s Senior Citizens Center of Garrison, ND
Camp of the Cross Ministries of Garrison, ND
American Legion Unit 270 of Butte, ND
Paul Lutheran Church of Garrison, ND
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SERVICES
Visitation
Saturday, August 20, 2022
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
St. Paul Lutheran Church
623 5th St NE
Garrison, ND 58540
Funeral Service
Saturday, August 20, 2022
11:00 AM
St. Paul Lutheran Church
623 5th St NE
Garrison, ND 58540
