Dr. William Godfrey Dols

Dols, Dr. William Godfrey, age 98, of East Superior Street, died on the morning of December 26th, 2025 at St. Lukes Aspirus Hospital after a brief illness. William was born on January 21st, 1927 in Minneapolis, MN the youngest of seven children of William and Cecelia Dols. He would often respond proudly when asked his birthdate that ‘it’s the same year Lindberg flew across the Atlantic’. He grew up in the midst of the great depression and the turmoil of the 1930’s becoming a member of that ‘Greatest Generation’ who saw this country through the challenges and uncertainties of WWII to return home in peacetime to build families, careers and the nation we know today. William graduated from DeLaSalle High School a year early in 1944 and at the age of 17 with his parent’s permission enlisted into the U.S. Army - eventually serving in the occupation forces of Japan until being honorably discharged in 1947. On returning home he would take advantage of the newly created GI Bill and become the first in his family to attend college - graduating from St. Thomas College with a BS degree and the University of Minnesota with a Doctorate in Dentistry. He would practice Dentistry for over 50 years with clinics in St. Paul and the small farming community of Goodhue, Minnesota. It was while attending the U of M that he would meet the love of his life Mary Duerr at a student dance. They would marry in 1954 and go on to raise 5 children while making homes in Roseville, St. Paul, and Cannon Falls MN. William left his practice in 1993 retiring to Florida for a few years and eventually returning to Minnesota in 1998 to settle in Duluth. Sadly Mary passed unexpectedly in 2002 just two years shy of celebrating their 50th anniversary. He continued to practice Dentistry in Duluth part time - helping out local doctors - until 2011. William had many interests including music, medal making, fishing and history - particularly native american and civil war history - and was a volunteer member of the Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad where he would provide narrations on the historical significance of the line and its Ojibwe heritage. He was our family historian and genealogist. His faith was a constant foundation and support for William and he always seemed to find hope and positivity even throughout the most difficult of times that life can pitch at you. He was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church. He’s preceded in death by a son, Billy; granddaughter, Melissa; nephews, Patrick, John and Craig in addition to his parents and all of his siblings - Margaret, Harold, Bernice, Phyllis, Dolly, Deloris and baby Joseph. He’s survived by his four children, Suzie (Mark), Paul (Rebecca), Robert (Donna), Harold (Katie); grandchildren, Jacob, Josh, Alex, Josiah, William, Elizabeth, Andrew, Matthew, Becky, Amy; and nephews, Tom (Deb), Doug (Judy) and Bob. A special thanks to Alan Zebrosky and his nurse team from St. Lukes Homecare for their outstanding care for William over the years. Visitation will be from 5-7 PM on Wednesday, January 14 with wake prayer at 7:00 PM at Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E. Second Street, Duluth. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 AM, Thursday in Our Lady of The Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 2801 E. 4th Street, Duluth. Interment will be at Oneota Cemetery. Arr. by Dougherty Funeral Home 218-727-3555.