Gaylen Louise Dokken

Gaylen Louise (Sanderson) Dokken entered into eternal rest with her Lord on March 30, 2018 at Essentia Hospital in Fargo, ND after suffering a stroke.

Gaylen was born March 6, 1939 to Kenneth and Evelyn (Cleveland) Sanderson in Overly, ND. At the age of 4 she moved with her family to their farm in Willow City, ND. She graduated from Willow City High School in 1957. She graduated from Minot State University with a two year teaching degree in 1959. While in attendance at Minot State, she was a member of the Beta Theta sorority. Upon graduating, she taught in several school districts including Crosby, ND and the Minot Air Force Base.

She married the love of her life, Gordon Duane Dokken in May of 1967 in Selz, ND and moved to Fargo, ND to start their married life. Their first son, Charles Gordon Dokken was born in 1969. She completed her BS degree in Social Studies at North Dakota State University in 1970. Soon thereafter, she had their second son, James Darrel Dokken in 1971. She continued with her teaching career at St. Anthony’s middle school teaching history and then substitute teaching in the Fargo Public School system.

Her second career followed this by providing day care in her home to dozens of families and their children. The last part of her career was spent as a political pollster for various companies in the Fargo area.
Gaylen, along with Gordon spent much of their “free” time at their sons’ athletic events. They were often seen at the Fargo South High gym, Dakotah field, and any baseball field their sons were playing on. This led to many long term friendships with the parents of their sons’ teammates. Gaylen welcomed countless numbers of kids to her table over the years, she was always happiest when taking care of others.

Gaylen enjoyed singing in the choir at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fargo. She also enjoyed her puppies, often taking in stray dogs in her later life. She always had room at her Sunday Dinner table for anyone that would stop by to visit. She also enjoyed helping those less fortunate than her by providing a place to stay, a meal to eat, or a hug to give.
She will be greatly missed by all, especially her two sons.

She is survived by her sons, Charles (Lorelei) Dokken and James Dokken; her grandchildren, Madelyn and Edison Dokken (from Charles and Lorelei); her siblings, Patricia (Roger) Bayley, Carolyn (George) Heller, Charles (Deb) Sanderson and many loved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Evelyn Sanderson and her husband, Gordon Duane Dokken.

If Gaylen touched your life, please stop by for stories and fellowship as we celebrate the life of a wonderful mother, wife, sister, friend.