Lawrence E. “Larry” Doeden Jr.

Lawrence Edward Doeden, Jr. was born June 20, 1936, in Hillsboro, ND, to Eleanor (Gilbertson) and Lawrence “Buster” Doeden. Larry attended high school in Caledonia where he enjoyed playing basketball and baseball, excelling at both sports, all the while working for many neighboring farmers.  He graduated in 1954.

After graduation, Larry enlisted in the Air Force where he served two tours in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War.  He retired as Master Sergeant November 1st, 1974, as Avionics Inertial Radar Navigation Systems Technician.

Larry married Maxine Erickson in 1956.  Maxine was killed in a tragic car accident in 1961. They had 3 children: Linda Louise, Rochelle “Shelly” Eleanor, and Karen Marie. Larry adopted Brent Decker in 1968.

Larry returned to Moorhead in 1976 making it his home.

Larry and Joan Rupprecht were united in marriage on December 27, 1985, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Moorhead. They owned and operated United Roofing Inc. in Fargo for 20 years before retiring in 1997 and splitting time between Florida and Minnesota.

Larry was an avid golfer and enjoyed the camaraderie that followed a round of golf as much as the game. His awards included Flight Champion, Senior Champion and Masters Champion at the Moorhead Country Club, Detroit Lakes Country Club, and San Carlos Country Club in Florida. His four-person Buick Scramble team was Sectional Champion in 2002, and advanced to the championship round at the Disney golf courses in Orlando. Except for the pro, Larry was the baby on the team at age 66. Larry had 10 holes-in-one, but his proudest moment on the golf course was the 1985 Roger Maris tournament in Fargo where his Ace on #6 (with a 6 iron), won a new Honda Accord!!

Larry is survived by his loving wife, Joan, Moorhead, MN, and Ft. Myers, FL; three daughters, Linda Riehl, Lakewood, CO, Shelly Witkowski, Murrells Inlet, SC, Karen Doeden, Moorhead, MN; nine grandchildren, Christopher, Michelle, Shawn, Heather, Bryan, Nicole, Shannon, Taylor, and Dylan; eleven great-grandchildren, Brianna, Dylan, Jonathan, Abigail, Tyler, Madison, Cyrus, Ryleigh, Ethan, Emma, and Ila; four brothers, Jim, Fountain Hills, AZ, Don, Moorhead, MN, John, Battle Lake, MN, and Dennis, Bemidji, MN; many nieces, nephews and a whole host of friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Maxine; son, Brent; granddaughter, Lindsey; son-in-law, Joe Witkowski; and sister-in-law Sharon.

Larry died peacefully at home surrounded by his loved ones on January 13th, 2022.

We’ll miss your smile, your laugh, and your love!!

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, at 11:00 AM with a visitation one hour before the service at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Moorhead, MN. A livestream of the service will be available here on Larry’s page beginning at 11.

Burial will be in Fargo National Cemetery in the spring.