Alwood "Woody" Noel Dokken

Alwood N. “Woody” Dokken, 82, of Benson died on Wednesday, October 7, 2020, at his home in Benson. A visitation will be held on Thursday, October 22, 2020, from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm, at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church in Benson, followed by the funeral service at 2:00 pm.

Alwood Noel (Woody) Dokken, 82, passed at his home in Benson, Minn. on October 7, 2020.  Woody Dokken was born April 14, 1938 in Benson, the son of Noel and Agnes Dokken.  He was baptized on May 15, 1938 by Pastor K.R. Palmer at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Benson.  He was confirmed on June 14, 1953 at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church in Benson by Pastor Harold Nasheim.

He attended the Benson School system K-12, graduating May 31, 1956.  He then went to St. Olaf College in Northfield for two years and this is where he met his wife Nancy.  He then enlisted in the army and served his country and was honorably discharged August 11, 1963.  Nancy and Alwood were married at Calvary Lutheran Church of Golden Valley.  They spent 61 years living and working in Benson and were blessed with 3 daughters.

Woody spent his whole life in Benson participating in many ways.  He and his Dad spent hours helping with the building of their beloved Our Redeemer’s Church.  After the necessary funds were secured construction began.  Every Saturday he would go to Starbuck and pick up a load of concrete blocks, haul them and unload them by hand and return for another load.  He says he thinks his hands unloaded every brick in the church.  He helped his Dad make the cross on the outside wall of the chapel and also the brackets holding the roof beams, visible today.  He made the metal grating in the vertical panels at the front of the church.  He became friends with the artist Peter Dohman from Germany who designed and installed the stained glass windows at Our Redeemer’s.  His family gave the church its first organ which has been in the chapel for years.

Woody owned Dokken Machine Works and many farmers took pride in owning his boxes, fertilizer spreaders, snow blowers and so many more.  He owned and operated Trans Med, a mobile medical company doing ultrasounds and mammograms on the Indian Reservations.  In retirement, he spent many years driving for the Railroad and for Prairie Five.  His greatest joy was woodworking, making special gifts for his family and also lovingly caring for his yard.  Woody’s passion for the Benson Lions Club began when he was installed as a charter member on December 14, 1966.  54 years loving and doing the things the Lions believe in.  He was president 6 times and sponsored over 20 new members.  Some of the prestigious awards he received were: 1969 Lion of the Year, 1975 Master Key Award, 1999, 2004 and 2009 Award given by the International Presidents of Lions for his work with Diabetes Awareness Projects, 2000 Melvin Jones Award, 2001 Helen Keller Sight Award, 2008 Hall of Fame Award, and many more.

But the best accomplishment of his life was having grandchildren.  The sun rose and set on every one of them.  They loved him as much as he loved them, and was so excited to have lived long enough to have a great-grandchild.  Time was short, but the joy on his face told it all.  He had 18 months to love Cody and 18 months to brag to everyone about how smart this great-grandchild is.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy; and three daughters: Marie and husband Phil Hansen of New London, Laura and husband Dan Larson of Elizabeth, Colorado, and Karen Dokken of Benson; grandchildren: Zack Hansen of Sioux Falls, SD, Kelsey Hansen of Minneapolis, Brynn Larson and James Bader of Auburn, Washington, Brooke Larson of Leadville, Colorado, Brian and wife Marisa Freeman of Watertown, SD, Jean and husband John Vaske of Mankato, MN; and one great-grandson, Cody Noel Freeman – son of Brian Noel and Marissa Freeman.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Noel and Agnes Dokken; his brother, Erling Dokken; sister, Marlene Rode; and nephew Peter Christian Dokken – son of Erling and Donna Dokken.

Woody’s family would like to thank Carris Health Rice Hospice for providing such loving and wonderful care during this difficult and sad time.  Upon death, Woody’s body was donated to the Anatomy Bequest Program at the University of Minnesota Medical School.