George Dockan

Whitey Dockan, 93, of Grand Marais, passed away at the North ShoreCare Center at 6:45 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2015.

He was born July 20, 1922 to Andrew and Annette (Anderson) Dockanin St. Paul.  In 1929 his family traded their home for a farm and relocated to Willow River, MN where he attended school.  After leaving school, Whitey joined the Carlton CCC Camp and then served in the U.S. Navy for several years aboard the USS Memphis.  After returning from the service, Whitey moved to Chicago where he worked in a steel mill. He then moved to Grand Marais in 1947, where he worked as a loggerwith his Norwegian uncles John and Ludwig, helped in the construction of Erie Mining in Silver Bay, and worked for the City of Grand Marais for 30 years in the Public Utilities Department, until his retirement in 1984.  Whitey enjoyed camping with the family, long walks, bowling in the league, and swimming.  He also enjoyed making people laugh.  He attended Bethlehem Lutheran Church, and was a lifetime member of the VFWand the American Legion, where he served in the Honor Guard for many years.

He is preceded in death by his parents Andrew and Annette, sisters Edna and Judith, and brother Andrew Jr.

Whitey is survived by his wife of 65 years, Gladys, sons Gerald (Bonnie)of Mt. Pleasant, TX, Gary (Claire) of Dallas, TX, Rodney (friend Carah) of Grand Marais, Steven (Belinda) of Pasadena, TX, sisters Lola Ouradnik of Moose Lake, MN, Shirley Christensen of Oakdale, MN, several grand and great-grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be held from 12 Noon until the 1:00 P.M. memorial service at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Grand Marais on Thursday, December 3rd, 2015.  Burial at Maple Hill Cemetery.