Ardon M Doran

Ardon Merle Doran 83, of Wahpeton ND, passed away peacefully on the morning April 17, 2026.

Ardon was born on October 4, 1942 in Detroit Lakes, MN to Warren and Alice Doran. He grew up in many places including Detroit Lakes, MN, Audubon, MN, on a farm just north of Pelican Lake, Joplin, MO then to Comstock, MN and finally in Barnesville, MN in 1957. He moved 17 times with his mom and dad, attended 11 different schools and graduated from Barnesville High School in 1960. In the fall of 1961, he attended North Dakota State College of Science and graduated in 1963.

Ardon was united in marriage to Ruth Williams on July 19, 1963. To that union were born two children Mike and DeVonne. Ardon and Ruth moved to Fargo, ND where he started working at Ulteig Engineers as an Engineer Assistant, then transferred to Communications Engineering; a subsidiary of Ulteig from 1963-1969. He moved to Ray, ND and worked for NW Mutual Aid Cooperative as an Engineering Coordinator from 1969-1974. While in Ray he served as Mayor and was the President of the local Jaycees Chapter.

Moving back to Minnesota, he worked for Barnesville Municipal Telephone as a Repairman 1975. Red River Telephone Cooperative as a Repairman and Switch Operations from 1975-1990. Then in 1991, he became the General Manager at Red River Telephone until he retired in 2001. He moved to Wahpeton, ND with Ruth after his retirement. During this time he worked for a local farmer driving tractor.

Ardon enjoyed many hobbies to include remodeling and building houses. He busied himself with many woodworking projects, he played league softball, bowled in three leagues while in Barnesville for 10 years and golfed for 51 years. He golfed the last eight years in a league in Wahpeton until 2020 during his retirement.

He also farmed a little over 200 acres SE of Barnesville with Darrel Williams from 1979-1986.

He enjoyed singing. He sang in with his wife Ruth, Charolette and Cindy Nordgaard. After Charolette moved, he and Ruth sang in churches throughout Wilkin and Ottertail counties. His singing never stopped and continued even while he was at St. Chatherine’s nursing home making up songs whether anyone was listening or not.

He loved his Faith Church family and was really involved, especially after his retirement. But the love of his life was his wife Ruth who he met at the Barnesville fair. He told one of his friends, I’m going to marry her one day.

Two things you didn’t know about Ardon: 1. He raced snowmobiles and raced a 1956 Buick in the hobby stock division. 2. ND Class B State Archery Champion in the late 60’s. Bonus: Outran the game warden in his 1940 Ford hotrod after he run through a farmer’s fence when his brakes didn’t work, 1961.

Above all else he loved the Lord Jesus. His deepest wish was that his family and relatives would come to know the Lord in a personal relationship. Second to the Lord, he loved his family. When Ruth went to live at St. Catherines in November of 2024, he would visit her every day and stay until supper. Due to health reasons, he too went to live at St. Chatherine’s. When he found out he would be in the same room as Ruth he said, “This is the best day of my life.”

He is survived by his wife Ruth Doran, Wahpeton; his children DeVonne Doran-Haarstad, Wahpeton and Mike (Della) Doran, Minot, ND; his grandchildren Tyler Haarstad, Wahpeton, Heather Haarstand, Fargo, ND and, Elise (Jesse) Barlow, Stanley, ND, Mike J. Doran, Minot, ND, Derick Doran, Williston, ND; his great-grandchildren Aryahna and Avalon Doran, Minot, ND; his sister Maryln Bauer, Moorhead, MN, his sister and brother-in-laws Blanche Doran, New Brighton, MN and Debbie Doran, Wahpeton, Charolotte Nordgaard, Bellingham, WA, Willie and LaVonne Williams, The Villages, FL, Grace and Ken Swenson, Coon Rapids, MN and many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

He is proceeded in death by his parents Warren and Alice Doran and his brothers Vernon Doran and Don Doran. Brother and sister-in-laws John Nordgaard, Irvin Williams and Dorthy Williams.

A celebration of life will be held on May 3, at Faith Church, Wahpeton at 3:00. The reception will also be at Faith Church following the service. Faith Church is located at 1589 11th St North, Wahpeton, ND.

The interment for the ashes will be held at a later date to be determined.

The family wishes to give special thanks to Tim Williams, all the staff and caregivers at St. Catherine's, CHI Hospice and Home Health, the Faith Church Community. Last but NOT least thank you, friends and family, for your love and support throughout the years. Thank you Connie and Don for your support in their last chapter of life.