Gustave (Gus) A. Dockter, 92, of Bismarck, passed on March 22, 2023 at Prairie Pointe Assisted Living, Bismarck, North Dakota. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 28, at 10:30 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, Bismarck with Pastor Derek Harkins officiating. Burial will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Visitation will be held on Monday from 5-8 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at the Bismarck Funeral Home. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.
A livestream of the service will be available on the Faith Lutheran Church website. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Bismarck Sertoma Club or to Faith Lutheran Church.
Gus was born March 26, 1930, in Ashley, North Dakota to John and Christina Dockter. He grew up in Ashley and graduated from Ashley High School. He joined the Air Force and was stationed at Langley AFB in Virginia. He was very proud of his military service.
Gus married Violet Pfeifle on November 11, 1951. They made their first home in Virginia then moved back to Ashley where he worked with his father and brother in the Dockter Sheet Metal business.
Gus attended Ellendale State Normal School and after graduation taught school in Braddock, North Dakota. In 1958 Gus and Vi moved to Bismarck. He spent many years working for Coca-Cola and was a strong supporter of the soft drink. He held various other jobs in Bismarck and ended his career at Riverwood RV when he retired at the age of 78.
Gus & Vi joined Faith Lutheran Church when they moved to Bismarck. They raised their family in the church and Gus served in various roles including council president.
Gus was a very active member of the Bismarck Sertoma Club for over 50 years, serving as North Dakota Governor, Secretary FDR and much more in the Great Plains Region of Sertoma. He spent many hours supporting the work of the organization and made many dear friends throughout the years.
Gus was also proud of his membership in the American Legion and Bismarck Elks Club for over 50 years.
Gus was well known for his sense of humor. He never ran out of jokes and always had a humorous greeting or response to your greeting.
Most importantly, Gus was a devoted husband and proud father, grandfather and great grandfather. He loved playing with the little ones and could always make the babies laugh. He was also there to share his many skills in building and repairing most everything. Kids and grandkids knew that they could count on Gus to show up with his toolbox ready to lend not only a hand but helpful experience and advice.
He will be missed.
Gus is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Peggy and Dave Brintnell and Nancy and Bob Lussenden; grandchildren, Jessica (Scott) Harms, Matt (Amber) Brintnell, Carrie (Cole) Bentley, Jon (Heather) Lussenden, Christina (Paul) Reynolds, and Andie (Jason) Roise and 18 great grandchildren, Eddie, August and Clara Harms, Daisie and Jazmyn Brintnell, Sam, Tim and Emmett Bentley, Brielle, Gracelyn, Jude and Asa Lussenden, Joey, Danny, Jason and Serenity Reynolds, and Omni and Knute Roise; his sisters-in-law, Erna Klipfel, JoAnn (Lester) Schlepp and Janet Pfeifle; brother-in-law, Ray Schumacher; and many nieces and nephews.
Gus was preceded in death by his wife, Violet; son, David Dockter; his sisters, Ida Nitschke, Elsa Imhoff, Eva Dockter; and his brother John Dockter.