Douglas Woodruff

Douglas Dean Woodruff was born March 9, 1949 to Dora (Donley) and Dean Woodruff. He attended country school in rural Wahpeton and graduated from Wahpeton Senior High School. He attended Devils Lake Community College and enlisted in the US Navy where he served from 1969 to 1973. Doug married Cheryl Dichraff on June 3, 1973. He worked several years for Bob's Fairway and Richels's Beverages, both of Wahpeton. For the last 20 years Doug has worked for the North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton.

Doug received a kidney transplant February 24, 2004 which he considered a special loving gift. Although facing many health issues he was well-known for his ready smile, positive outlook, thankfulness for his blessings and was an inspiration to others around him. He had a wonderful sense of humor which will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Doug is survived by his devoted wife, Cheryl, Wahpeton; one son, Brandon (Carrie) Woodruff, and "Grandpa's Girls", Alora, Mikaela, Emily and Hannah, all of Valley City, ND; a sister-in-law, Mary Jo (Tim) Matz, Wahpeton, their children: Kristy, Ryan (Sarah) and Kari (Michael); brother-in-law, Paul (DJ) Dichraff, Phoenix, AZ, his children, Kelsey and Garrison; his step-mother, Norma Woodruff and step-brother, Kevin (Marcie) Newborg, both of Fergus Falls, MN; several aunts, uncles, nephews and cousins, and a phenomenal friend who donated her kidney to Doug, Deb (John) Blaufuss, Breckenridge, MN. He also leaves behind many prayer-filled supportive friends who will miss his gentle heart and sure fire wit.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dean and Dora; his sister, Barbara Schultz and her husband, Jim Schultz; and his mother and father-in-law, Adeline (Bohn) and Hank Dichraff.

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred.