Alan Leonard Doerr, 87, Minot, died Monday, October 24, 2011, in a Minot Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.

Alan was born September 24, 1924, at Lodgepole, South Dakota, the son of Harry and Viola (Larsen) Doerr. He was raised on the family farm near Lodgepole and educated at country schools near there. He was graduated from Hettinger High School and during his younger years worked as a bricklayer in Hettinger.

Alan was united in marriage to Elma Oelke on December 2, 1951 in Mott, North Dakota. They made their home in Rugby, Crosby and Velva while Alan worked on various construction jobs in those communities. They made their home in Minot in 1956. Alan did masonry work for various contractors locally, before starting Doerr Masonry, and later partnered with Benton and Vollbrecht Contractors. He worked in the building industry for more than 40 years, retiring in 1988. He was currently employed at Miracle Mart.

Alan was a longtime member of First Lutheran Church, Minot, where he was active with the Church Council and served on the Properties Committee. He and Elma were very active members with the Good Sam RV Club since 1973, where they served as State Directors. They were also active with the Norsk Hostfest as RV Hospitality Coordinators for 31 years. Alan was a wonderful family man who led by example. They served as foster parents for twenty-nine years and hosted over 350 children during that time. Alan also served as a PTA officer at Roosevelt Elementary School in Minot.

Although Alan leaves behind a legacy of banks, hospitals, schools, clinics and churches in western North Dakota, he will be best remembered for his ability to build relationships.

His loving family includes : wife of fifty-nine years, Elma; daughters, Joette (David) Ridenour, Arvada, CO, Jerlyn (Dan) Langemo, Minot, ND, Jylann (Clint) Hanson, Des Lacs, ND, Jaclyn (Bruce) Morlock, Grand Forks, ND, Johnet (Brian) Christianson, Glenburn, ND, Judith (Terry) Pogatshnik, Fargo, ND; grandchildren, Caroline (Matthew)Purvis; Tim Langemo and finacee, Amber Hanson, Katie Langemo & Karen Langemo; Mathias (Darla) Hanson, Clinton Michael (Katie) Hanson, Christy (Ben) Keele; Tiffany Christianson and fianc, Jared Plutowski, Brittney Christianson, Callie Christianson & Michaela Christianson; great-grandchildren, Tiffany & Andrew Purvis; Samantha Cone, Ethan Hanson & Mason Hanson; brothers, Dale Doerr, Oroville, CA, Vaughn Doerr, Dickinson, ND, Kenneth (Vada) Doerr, Hettinger, ND; sisters, Beverly (Jim) LeFebre, Lodgepole, SD, June (Bill) Stevens, Stanley, ND; sister-in-law, Lucylle Doerr, Hettinger, ND, and a nephew who lived with the family, Royce (Tish) Oelke, Delta, CO.

Alan was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Margaret Johnson and brothers, Walter and Gene Doerr and niece, Debra Doerr.

Funeral service : Thursday, October 27, 2011, at 1:00 p.m. in First Lutheran Church, Minot.

Prayer service: Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Mniot.

Interment : Sunset Memorial Gardens, Minot.

Visitation: Wednesday from 2:00-7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.