Cover photo for Arthur A. Dockter's Obituary
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1950 Arthur 2010

Arthur A. Dockter

June 23, 1950 — June 1, 2010

Arthur A. “Art” Dockter, 59 of Ellendale, ND died June 1, 2010, at his home in rural Ellendale. A memorial service will be 1pm Friday, June 11 at Hoven Funeral Chapel, Ellendale with Pastor Galen Sylvester officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the memorial service on Friday. Burial will be at a later date at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Arrangements by Hoven Funeral Chapel, Ellendale. Art Dockter, was born June 23, 1950, to Anna Marie & Arthur Dockter Sr. in Fargo, ND. He graduated from Fargo South High School in 1968 and enlisted in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He served in the Vietnam War as a helicopter door-gunner with the 1st Air Cavalry Division-Apache Troop. Art received the Soldier's Medal, Bronze Star, Air Medal and the Army Commendation Medal while serving his country. After returning from the war Art continued his education at NDSU. After graduating from NDSU he tried the business world only to find his love of building which led him to become a carpenter. He built two houses: one was a passive solar house in south Fargo and the other an earth home near Ulen-Hitterdal, MN. On July 15,1972, he married Paula K. Wilson in Hitterdal, MN. They later divorced but remained good friends. His love of fishing and hunting led him to Pheasant Lake near Ellendale, ND where he enjoyed playing a good game of cards whether it be in Ellendale or at his hangout in Forbes, ND. Photography also played a major role throughout his life. His pictures of the war have been hung in museums throughout the country including the Fargo Air Museum. The Vietnam War played a huge part in his life, the friends he made and lost were forever a part of him. Art found peace on Tuesday, June 1, 2010, at his home on Pheasant Lake with his faithful dog, Zak. Art is survived by his twin sister: Sharon McLaughlin, Fargo, ND; Nephew and Nieces Sean, Andrea & Elizabeth McLaughlin, Fargo, ND and his dog Zak. He was preceded in death by his parents: Anna Marie & Arthur Dockter Sr., brother-in-law: Paul McLaughlin and two devoted canine companions Casey & Beau. The following was shared by Rod during Art's Memorial Service: Fishing and hunting were always part of Art's life. His father introduced him at an early age, especially hunting. To Art, hunting was not part-time; it was a lifestyle. Art was not the type of person to put his foot into something. He jumped in 100 %. Also, In Vietnam, Art was not part-time. His medals and the relationships he had with his fellow soldiers clearly showed his commitment. I met many of these gentlemen when Art took it upon himself to have a reunion of the Apache Troop in Fargo. It was not hard to see the affection these guys had for Doc, as they called him. Of course, Art, just to make me feel comfortable, introduced me as a 70's antiwar college student. They just said, "Rod, if you are a friend of Doc's, that's good enough for us." Art had basically quit hunting during this time. His Vietnam memories had started weighing on him. He needed some spark to get him going. That spark was Bo, the dog. A Vietnam buddy of his from Minneapolis came up with Bo to hunt and asked Art if keep the dog, as he was leaving the country. One hunt and that was that. The spark became a flame; hunting was back! Within a couple of years, Art came to the Ellendale area for a funeral and basically he never left. To make everything even better, he began renting the Gulke place on Pheasant Lake. For the next ten years, Art would comment that he was blessed that he was in this area. Art and I had great times hunting and fishing throughout these ten years; so much fun that we even put a truck through the ice-my truck, of course. In conclusion, I know that Art would want me to say good-bye to all of the Ellendale people he respected so much.
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