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Lowell Dodds

Lowell Thomas Dodds, 72, Sheyenne, ND, passed away on March 11, 2014 in Bismarck, ND.


Lowell was born April 13, 1941 in New Rockford to John and Bertha (Skarpness) Dodds. He was raised in New Rockford and graduated from New Rockford High School in 1959. Lowell was a member of the United Methodist Church in New Rockford. He graduated from University of North Dakota with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering in 1964. He married LaRhae Lindstrom on March 3, 1962, at United Methodist Church in New Rockford. While going to UND Lowell was a 2nd Lieutenant in the ROTC and he participated in the Varsity Bards Choir.


He worked at the Whiting Refinery in Chicago from 1964 – 1968 and then worked at the Mandan Refinery from 1968 – 1974. He and his family moved to Singapore in 1974 where he worked for the Singapore Petroleum Company. While living there he spent some time working in Japan for JGC (Japanese Gas Company). In 1980 he moved to Malaysia and managed the construction of an oil refinery. Lowell returned to Sheyenne in 1983 where he farmed full time. In 1992 he returned to Asia to be the construction manager for a refinery in Thailand. He worked there until 1995 and again returned to North Dakota to farm.


Lowell enjoyed singing and theater. He participated in a number of musical stage productions while living in Singapore. He also enjoyed scuba diving, snorkeling, exotic birds, playing cards, bowling, movies and traveling with his family while living overseas. Lowell truly enjoyed hosting guests from around the globe. He had a passion for farming and returned to his ranch in North Dakota where he loved working the land and caring for cattle (which he often considered his pets). Lowell loved animals and strays would often find their way to his farm. He routinely took in injured or abandoned wild critters. Lowell liked a challenge; he would find a wild, crazy horse and manage to “break� them into the gentlest creature around. He lived life to the fullest, he loved adventure and he enjoyed spending time with family and friends.


Lowell was a member of Grace Lutheran Church where he served on the Church Council. He remained involved in his community even after retiring from farming. Over the years he served on the Farmers Union Board, Served as President of the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd and he sang in the men’s choir.


He is survived by his wife LaRhae; two daughters, two sons-in law, and 4 grandchildren; Carrie and Mike Marhula and their children Ryan and Blake, Buffalo, MN; Kim and Paul Thompson and their children Kalley and Mason, St. Cloud, MN; a brother and sister-in-law Don & Peggy Lindstrom, Kindred, ND; sister-in-law Shireen Grinager, Mayville, ND, and their families.


Lowell was preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law Jon Grinager.

Lowell's family suggests memorials to Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Grace Lutheran Church, Sheyenne, ND

DATE AND TIME: Saturday, March 15, 2014 at 10:30AM

BURIAL: Riverside Cemetery, Sheyenne, ND

Posted Condolences:

(scroll down to send a condolence)

 

Name: Jim Valer

Date: 3/24/14

Message: Lowell was an accomplished man. A former NRHS classmate who left his mark on the world

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Name: Mavis A. Hansen

Date: 03/17/ 2014

Message: LaRhae & Family; Sorry to hear of Lowell passing, but it was time the Lord wanted him home. It's a loss, but remember time heals & life goes on. God Bless you & the family, You have to be strong for the Family. Thinking of you, but life is a thing we all experience, sooner or later.

As the Saying goes," We are like a kernel of grain; we have produce and left seed for the next Generation. How true that is. Bless you and the family.

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Name: Stuart Legaard

Date: 03.15.14

Message: Dear LaRhae and Family,

I was sorry to hear of Lowell's passing and extend my deepest sympathy.  Lowell and I were fraternity brothers (founding fathers of Delta Upsilon, UND chapter) and shared an apartment (actually a basement room).  We had many good times and shared a lot of laughs, all part of our cherished times at UND.

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Name: Linda Anderson Colliander

Date: 3/14/14

Message: I was so sorry to hear of the loss of your husband, father and grandfather.  I knew Lowell in high school and I know he'll be missed by many.  You, the family, will be remembered in my thoughts and prayers.

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Name: Roger Tonn

Date: March 14, 2014

Message:  I am so sorry to hear of Lowell's passing.  My condolences to his entire family.  We graduated together in the class of '59.  We played football for the Rockets and joined in other activities in school.  Like many from the midwest at that time we scattered to the winds seeking our  opportunities. I am glad he found success and happiness with his family.

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Name: Rev. Elwood Skarpness

Date: Friday, March 14, 2014

Message: Dear LaRhae and family,  Just read the death notice for Lowell in today's Friday, March 14th  Fargo Forum.  Lowell's Grandfather, Peder Skarpness was my great uncle and the youngest brother of my grandfather Ole Skarpness. In 1942 when I was 11 years old I met Peder Skarpness when I was visiting at the home of my aunt in Superior, WI. I am a retired Lutheran pastor and  now 83 years old.  My wife Elsie and I  live in DeLamere, ND located 6 miles East opf Milnor, ND.  In 1987 when Lowell's mother, Bertha was still living, my wife Elsie and I drove my uncle Joseph Skarpness and his wife Jennice to visit Bertha in New Rockford. I am sorry that I did not get back to New Rockford to meet and visit with Lowell and your family or to take time to correspond with him and your family. I have a family tree program and many pages of information on the Skarpness family tree going back to the Island of Smola where the Skarpness brothers lived prior to coming to America. If you have an email address I can share some of this information at a later date.

 

 Though we cannot be present for the funeral on Saturday we will be praying and asking the Lord to grant his comfort in this time sorrow.  I share the promises of Jesus recorded in  John chp. 10 and John chp.14: "I am the good shepherd, the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep...My sheep hear my voice, and I know them...and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand."   (John 10:11, 27-28)  "Let not your hearts be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in me.  In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you."   (John 14:1-2)

   Death can take us from this world but it cannot take us away from Jesus, when we belong to him as one of his sheep, for he has the power to bring us who believe in him to be with him whenever our death as a believer may occur.  And until Jesus brings us to be with him in the Father's house, he will be with us to help us though the times of grief and sorrow we experience when a loved one departs from our midst.   Greet other relatives and family members from us. 

Sincerely in Christ,  Rev. Elwood Skarpness 

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Name: Jeff Diiro

Date: 3/14/14

Message: My deepest condolences to the Dodds family on your loss.
I still have fond memories of chasing Lowells "pet" cows and calves in the spring blizzrds out on the ranch.
Jeff

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Name: Herb & Gladys Thompson

Date: March 14, 2014

Message: Our sincere sympathy to you, Lowell's family. We so enjoyed time spent with Lowell (and all of you) at events for our grand children at family dinners. We fondly remember how he led by singing "Grace" before our meal. I enjoyed spending time with him at the ranch and talking "faarming". Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of sadness.

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Name: Judy & Jim Belquist

Date: 3/14/14

Message: Our deepest sympathy to Lowell's family. We knew Lowell from childhood and have many good memories of times spent together. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time in your lives.

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Name: Rod Roaldson

Date: 03/14/2014

Message: Thinking of you in your time of sorrow. Strength can be found in the life and love that you shared with Lowell.

Respectfully Yours, Rod

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Name: Ada DeBolt

Date: March 13

Message: Sorry to hear about your loss. We are still in South Carolina, Doris called and told me, please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. Ada

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Name: Barbara Middaugh

Date: 3-14-13

Message: Dear LaRhae, Carrie and Mike, Ryan and Blake, Kim and Paul, Kalley and Mason and all of your family -- words cannot express my sorrow for you all and all of us who also loved Lowell and you all. My thoughts and prayers are with you always and I and my family have the fondest memories of all our many times spent with you . Please know that if I can be of help in any way, do not hesitate to call on me. Love always. Barb

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Name: Margaret Paradise

Date: 3/13/14

Message: Larhae, Carrie and Kim,

We are so sorry for your loss. The boys and I are so thankful and "Lucky" we got to meet Lowell and spend time on the farm. It was an experience we will always cherish. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Margaret, Steve, Joey and Jackson

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Name: Ella Gutzke

Date: March 12, 2014

Message: My sincere condolences and sympathy, he will be missed.  Lowell was a dedicated member of the governing board and a valuable asset to the Nursing Home of the Good Shepard.  I enjoyed working with Lowell as he served as Chairman of the Governing Board and Building Committee during the renovation of the facility.  I considered him a good friend, and I will always remember him fondly.

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Name: Dana Mourning

Date: March 12, 2014

Message: I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your father and grandfather.  Although I never had the chance to meet him, I heard so many wonderful things about him.  May you feel the love of our thoughts and prayers for your family at this time. 

Sincerely, The Mourning Family

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Name: Cindy Marhula

Date: March 12,2014

Message: My sincere sympathy for the loss of your husband, father, grandpa and uncle and friend. My prayers for your comfort during this time when your heart is heavy with sadness.

Psalm 23:4 "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me".