CHAD ALLAN DOCKTER

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CHAD ALLAN DOCKTER

With heavy hearts, we are sad to announce the unexpected passing of Chad at the age of 56 years on March 11, 2026.

Chad will be forever missed by his wife of 24 years Christine; parents, James and Clara Dockter and brother Michael Dockter of Bismarck, North Dakota. He is also survived by his mother-in-law Joyce Copp; sisters-in-law, Carolyn (Darren) Whyte, Catherine Copp; brother-in-law Justin (Sandra) Copp; nephews and nieces, Ryan, Brittany and Derek Whyte, Paige Krasulja (Braydan Grawberger) and Taylor Krasulja, Anabel, Charles and Molly Copp and great-niece and nephew, Peyton and Lincoln Grawberger; dear friends, Victoria Briceño (Griffin Smith) and son Weston.

He was predeceased by his father-in-law Walter Copp.

Chad spent his early years on the Dockter farm near Streeter, North Dakota. At age six, he moved with his family to Bismarck, where he attended school through grade 12. Chad grew up camping and fishing at Beaver and Badger Bays and along the Missouri River. He had fond memories of playing with his cousins at family gatherings, hanging out at the wave pool, and playing backyard flag football. He grew up next door to the Ressler brothers, including his best friend, Brad. Together they explored the woods, went boating and waterskiing, rode a big inner tube like a bucking bull, and tagged along with Brad’s dad in the semi.

Chad moved out on his own at 22 to Mandan, North Dakota. He got his Class 1 license and began his own driving career hauling cattle and freight. He had many adventures over countless miles and loved the livestock auctions. He made many lifelong friends in these years especially his closest buddies, Larry Erhardt, Chad Goetz and Mike Iglehart. He got his first horse, Scamper, and together they rode endless miles in the hills and trails around the Heart River outside of Mandan.

Chad and his buddies went to the WE Fest Country Music Festival in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota ten years in a row. In 1991, while struggling to set up their borrowed tent, a Canadian girl camping next to them came in, took charge, and whipped it up for them in a flash. Ten years later, on the hottest day of the year, they were married at the International Peace Gardens right on the border. Chad, along with his family and friends, stood on the US side, while Christine and her family and friends stood on the Canadian side.

Together they moved into their first home in Oakbank, Manitoba where they lived for 17 years and their closest neighbors became lifelong friends around the backyard fire. Chad loved decorating his home and doing yard work. They spent the years riding horses, camping, hiking, biking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

They returned to North Dakota often to visit with family and friends. In 2004 they bought a 40-acre parcel of land southeast of Bismarck. With the endless help of his mom and dad, they planted over 500 trees on their property. They tilled, pruned, mowed and watched their trees grow. On their way back from one tree planting trip they returned with a yellow lab puppy named Ellie.

Chad’s passion was the great outdoors. He enjoyed countless hunting trips with his dad and friends, and most recently to Alberta for mule deer and antelope and to Pine River with his nephew, Charles, for white-tails and grouse. Chad finally got his own boat and enjoyed many epic fishing days with friends and family as well as weekend trips to Ontario with Dwayne and Andy. The annual father-son fly-in fishing trips in September were extremely dear to him especially when his dad would come up and join them, reeling in the big ones.

Christine and Chad enjoyed travels to Nova Scotia, The Rocky Mountains, Costa Rica, and Hawaii. The most precious memories include trips to Florida and Gammon River with Michelle and Greg, Arizona to visit Jim and Tudy, Medora with both sets of parents, Copp Family trips to the Dominican, Mexico and Riding Mountain as well as South Dakota and Mexico with Larry and Vonda.

Chad continued his driving career in Manitoba and retired in 2018 when they moved to an acreage in Cooks Creek. His new job was building and tending their new hobby ranch. Shortly after moving to the Double C Ranch, Chad had to say goodbye to his beloved, Scamper. Troubadour became his new trail partner. And when Ellie went off to join Scamper, Chad came home with a six-week-old black lab puppy. Luna would be his constant companion until his final day.

Chad worked on everything at the ranch to perfection. He finished his final project last summer and was looking forward to travelling, ranch chores, riding horses and bikes and “just hanging out with the love of my life.”

A service to celebrate Chad’s life will be held on March 21, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the Oakbank Baptist Church, 26033 Springfield Road in Oakbank. To watch Chad's service via livestream click on watch webcast.

A service will be held in the US on March 28, 2026 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Bismarck Amvets Club, 2402 Railroad Avenue, Bismarck, ND

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Nature Conservancy www.nature.org or The Nature Conservancy of Canada www.natureconservancy.ca

I miss you. Rest peacefully sweetheart.

Tribute Link - seasonsfunerals.com

CHAD ALLAN DOCKTER

With heavy hearts, we are sad to announce the unexpected passing of Chad at the age of 56 years on March 11, 2026.

Chad will be forever missed by his wife of 24 ½ years, Christine; parents, James and Clara Dockter and brother Michael Dockter of Bismarck, North Dakota. He is also survived by his mother-in-law Joyce Copp; sisters-in-law, Carolyn (Darren) Whyte, Catherine Copp; brother-in-law Justin (Sandra) Copp; nephews and nieces Ryan, Brittany and Derek Whyte, Paige Krasulja (Braydan Grawberger) and Taylor Krasulja, Anabel, Charles and Molly Copp and great-niece and nephew, Peyton and Lincoln Grawberger; dear friends, Victoria Briceno (Griffin Smith) and son Weston.

He was predeceased by his father-in-law Walter Copp.

Funeral arrangements are pending and a complete obituary will follow.

Tribute Link - www.seasonsfunerals.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 14, 2026, Mar 21, 2026