Doug Asleson

Melvin Douglas “Dougie-Doug” Asleson passed away on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at the Lakota Good Samaritan Center.

Funeral Services for Doug will be held on Friday, March 8, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake ND with burial and military honors at the Devils Lake Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday beginning at 9:00 a.m.

He was born in the hallway of the Lakota Motel on Main Street in Lakota, ND on January 18, 1938. Born to Melvin Anthony and Mabel (Storkson) Asleson. He was the third of four children, and after his father passed away, his mother married Henry Forde. He was then the very proud big brother to twins Edward and Richard Forde.

He attended grade school in Lakota. He was once sent home from school because he wanted to write with his left hand. He also said that he wouldn’t answer to the name Melvin, because he only knew to be called Dougie. After losing his step Dad, he had to stay home and help his Mom with the twins. He would then end up being in the same grade as his Little Sister Dixie.

Doug married and went into the Army at a young age. He had one son Leslie from that union. The union did not last.

On March 14^th, 1959, Doug married Olive “Tiny” Munson. Doug and Olive were the proud parents of seven children.

Doug worked in elevators in Nekoma, Melville, New Rockford ND then decided to attend Lake Region State College in Devils Lake. He enrolled in classes to become an architect but changed his mind and graduated as a Soil Conservation Technician. He worked in this field for many years until he retired.

He met many farmers throughout his career and in the spring, planted many shelter belts in the area. For many years his daughter Connie, son Jim, sister-in-law Marlene Hanson and friend Holly Wee worked with him and made memories to laugh about years later.

Doug was also in the National Guard, retiring from both work and the National Guard as a Staff Sergeant at 60 years of age.

His most cherished moments were when each of his grandchildren were born. He loved each one with his whole heart.

Doug would give you the shirt off his back but preferred to give you one of his woodworking projects; he proudly made three soldiers who represented his two grandsons Joshua and Jesse and his niece Dawn. He was extra proud of them for their service to our country. Large wood butterflies were one of his favorites to make.

For the past 5 plus years, Doug has resided at the Good Samaritan Center of Lakota for which the family is forever grateful for the care. Also, the care from Dr. Moraleda and Cathy Henschel for their primary care and the assisting staff of Altru Clinic in Devils Lake.

Doug is survived by his loving family. His children with his wife Tiny: Connie Asleson, Melvin Asleson, Jim Asleson, Kenny (Kelly-his favorite daughter-in-law) Asleson and Lauri (Shane-his favorite son-in-law) Parrish; 24 grandchildren: Misty, Skye, Ricky, Crystal and Sonny Zuercher: Joshua (Aimee) Asleson, Sam Asleson: Amanda (Cody) Birkeland, Tyler (Rachel) Eback, Jesse (Kaylee) Ahoe: Amber, Chelsi, Destiny (Tanner) Asleson: Tasha (Patrick) Douglas, Patrick (Melissa) Asleson, Breanna (Johnny) Asleson, Justine Kjorsvik (Cody), twins Shawna and Riley Anderson, Dawson Asleson: Tessa (Brandon) MacArthur, Megan (Casey) Gullickson, Ali Parrish (Zach), Katie (Ricky) Hamel, Heather Maier; 45 great grandchildren; brothers Ed (Eloise-special sister-in-law) Forde and Richard (Sharon) Forde; special sisters-in-law Marlene Hanson, Vickie Jones, Marcia Lindquist; many precious nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by his wife Tiny, parents, step father Henry Forde, oldest son Leslie and sons Edward Asleson and Daniel Asleson, grandson Ricky Zuercher, great granddaughter Kelee Asleson, sisters Ethel Haugen and Dixie Wagner, brother Wesley Asleson Sr., mother-in-law and father-in-law Victoria and Arnold Anderson, brothers-in-law Bruce Anderson, James Anderson, Kenneth Munson, John D. Munson, Don Hanson, Ken Miller and Tom Jones, sisters-in-law Vivian Asleson, Frances Welch, Victoria Miller and Joan Anderson Stahl, nieces and nephews Chrissy Anderson, Christofer Heustis, Janelle Loghry, Dallis Welch, Donnie Welch and Mike Welch.