Theodore "Ted" E. Dowling

Jody Hane2021-01-03T10:30:51-06:00

Name: Theodore "Ted" E. Dowling
Location of Birth: Sand Lake Township, Itasca County, Minnesota
Date of Birth: July 22, 1927
Date of Death: August 5, 2009 (82 years old)
Parents: Frederick and Clara Dowling
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Branch: Army
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Military Highlights:
Ted entered the United States Army in 1945 and took basic training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, then went to Camp Campbell in Kentucky, then on to Fort Ord in California. After that, he was off to Alaska to Ladd Field near Fairbanks where he was in the Field Artillery testing equipment and finding out how things would work in extreme cold, "Task Force Frigid". He also ran Message Center and was jeep driver for officers.

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Civilian Life:
Ted returned to his home in 1947, married Vivian Drone in 1948 where they raised their six children. They lived in Homer, Alaska, from 1969 to 1972 where Ted was employed by Alaska Seafoods Company of Homer, Alaska. While there, Ted drew cartoons that were printed in the "Homer News" and the "Anchorage Times". His cartoon character was "Chester Cheechako", a greenhorn learning the ways of the far north.

He also had other hobbies. He loved music and played guitar. Ted and Vivian played at mass in Squaw Lake at St. Catherine's for 30 years. They and their children went to several nursing homes and played music for the residents in this area, including Deer River, Bigfork, Grand Rapids, and also at Manor House. It was great fun to see the happiness it brought to people.

Ted was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, and two brothers.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Vivian; three sons, Robert (Maureen Pratt), Frederick (Brenda), and Lee (Marcia); three daughters, Elaine (Bud) Macrostie, Jean (Tom) Stack, and Kathy (Jack) Turk; two sisters, Shirley Shears and Virginia Williams; sixteen grandsons, six granddaughters, and ten great-grandchildren.

Ted died at home and is buried in Sand Lake Cemetery in Sand Lake Township, Itasca County, Minnesota.

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