Dennis was deeply patriotic and proud to have served his country in the three years directly after his high school graduation from Crosby Schools. His mechanical skills took him all over the country working on ballistic missile sights. He became active in the American Legion and was Post Commander in Sidney for many years.

He shared a few tidbits of his life with his sister in law Kathleen Waller recently. We found out that he was born in a hospital no bigger than a two car garage in Noonan. His hobbies as a youth included drawing cartoons, playing the saxophone, and demolition derbies. He remembered the make, model and year of every car he owned. Often he would tell about the work he put into these vehicles and where he went with them. He talked about his trip to the World Fair in New York the year the Ford Mustang first came out. He spent two days there. Dennis was known for his love of classic cars, carpentry and mechanical skills, and farm equipment. He was a collector of nearly everything imaginable and especially fond of coins, tools, Norwegian jokes, and model cars.

Evidently he was fond of spending time with his buddies (including Dan Pfau, his brother in law) at local establishments such as the Triangle Night Club in the seventies. In fact, he could testify to the fact that there were nine irrigation ditches between the Triangle and Sidney because he stepped in every one of them on the way home.

Many times dad would come across as “grumpy,” but those who knew him well appreciated that and knew he was simply vocal about his pet peeves. He was very specific about how things should be done and where things should go. Dad was actually a kind and caring person who would help anyone who needed anything including a loose tooth with a rusty set of pliers. He was a wonderful dad and role model. His children learned that he valued an excellent work ethic and would settle for nothing less than your best effort. Dennis had an extraordinary sense of humor. His only kryptonite was his incredibly ticklish feet and his fondness for his pets.

Pa died on the evening of Friday, July 13th holding Lynn and Cara’s hand. He had suffered heart problems and an infection that reoccured from an injury 20 years prior. His heart simply weakened over the last few months. In the weeks preceding his death, Dennis received visits from many family members and friends and daily calls and words of encouragement from those who were not able to travel to see him. This made pa exceedingly happy. He knew his time was getting short and relished in the comfort of these visits. The hospice care team was exceptional, and they along with the care from his family made it possible for him to stay at home in his final days.

Dennis was the oldest boy of George and Evelyn Lokken of Crosby, North Dakota. He leaves behind his wife of 44 years Lynn (McWillams) Lokken, two sons Les (Carol) Jenkins and Jeff Waddell, twin daughters Cara (Peter) Frandsen and Tara Blunk, brother Gary (Cheryl) Lokken and sister Debbi (Rudy) Tajalle as well as his grand children Bryan, Katie, William, Michael, Alissa, Hanna, Nick, Lina, and Zoë as well as two great grandchildren Joyce and Rachel.

Romans 14:7-9 For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

A meal and refreshments will be served after the memorial at 12283 Sidney Circle. All are very much welcome.