Dennis Lokken

Dennis L. Lokken, 94, Bismarck, passed away, Sunday, February 22, 2026, at Baptist Health, Bismarck.

A Graveside service will be held at 3:00PM, Monday, March 2, 2026, at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.

Dennis was born on March 12, 1931, in Epping, ND to John Lokken and Olga (Thompson) Lokken.

Dennis attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks from 1949-1953 where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering and participated in the US Airforce Reserves. He served in the US Airforce from January 1954 until January 1956 and began work for the ND Highway Department in Bismarck, ND in March 1956.

He married Ann P. Tesky on October 11, 1959, in Hazen, ND and they moved to Williston where Dennis continued working for the ND State Highway Department. They raised two daughters in Williston. Upon retirement from the Highway Department in March of 1994 Dennis and Ann moved to Bismarck, ND.

In high school Dennis loved to play basketball and played trombone in the Epping band. His competitive spirit could be seen years later as he loved to win at rummikub, dominoes and bingo. Dennis was a whiz at crossword and jigsaw puzzles. We loved hearing his stories and shared knowledge of birds and animals as he had such a love for nature.

Dennis will be missed by his wife, Ann Lokken; daughters, Patty (Bob) Downing, Janet (Kevin) Nevaux; grandchildren, Beth (Zach) Barnes, Emma (Jamie Wozniak) Downing, Vienne Nevaux; great-grandson, Ryker Barnes (Dennis was tickled that Ryker shares a birthday of March 12.)

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Olga Lokken; siblings, Jeannine (Bob) Scott, LeRoy (Avis) Lokken and Delores (Ken) Schnell.