Dusty Lodoen

First breath: 01/19/1979-Last Breath 09/30/2020

Dustin, better known as Dusty, Wayne Lodoen (41) left this earth tragically on 09/30/2020 while doing what he loved: farming the land. He leaves behind an immeasurable legacy with his wife, two precious little boys, his family, and a community of friends that spread as far as the North Dakota plains lie.

Dusty was born 01/19/1979 at St. Andrews hospital (Bottineau, ND), to Myron and Patty (Henry) Lodoen. He was welcomed home by his loving older sister, Emmy Lou, and later blessed by the birth of a little brother, best friend, and farming partner, Danen "Wood". Dusty grew up on the family farm for all of his life, where his parents still reside.

Dusty was always a talented, successful, intelligent, kind, and influential "go-getter" from an early age. He was active in sports, 4-H, farming, showing cattle, wheeling and dealing, and trying new things for as long as anyone can remember. In his earlier years, Dusty took extreme pride in bull riding. With that said, his daring and "no-fear" attitude landed him scars and stories to tell for years to come (even if he used those same scars to tell some stories that weren't true.) You had to be a good sport if you were around Dusty because he always knew how to get a good debate going- but they always ended up in laughs, a hug, handshake, or a "cheers."

Dusty attended Westhope high school for all of his schooling years, graduating in 1997 alongside many of his best friends. He has maintained those true friendships to this day, and we've never met anyone who didn't call Dusty a friend, role model, mentor, or "one of the good ones."

Following graduation, Dusty attended NDSU majoring in agricultural economics. He thoroughly enjoyed college life (as he loved his whole life), and he excelled, as farming and business has always been in his blood.

The next step in Dusty's life brought him back to Bottineau County where he worked as a loan officer for State Bank of Bottineau. He later moved to Minot and continued working as a loan officer for Farm Credit Services. While living in Minot, he also took on part ownership of the Pita Pit. Many great memories were made during his years in Bottineau and Minot.

Dusty's final life destination took him back to his hometown roots, Westhope ND, where he lived until his final day. Dusty moved back and started working as a crop insurance agent for Artz Insurance, while also taking on farming with his brother Danen. After a year of farming together, the brothers became "Richburg Farms," and continued to successfully expand and provide for their families and community. Dusty was also a member of several boards and committees, including Soybean Council, Westhope country club board, and the local Border Ag elevator board. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Westhope as well.

In 2011, Dusty met Kylie Thom unexpectedly and fell in love instantly. Their dating life was never boring. He constantly reminded her that she was the "love of his life," and they completed the missing pieces in each other's lives. Her family fell in love with him just as quickly. Together, they enjoyed traveling the world, hitting up sporting games, amusement parks, and the best steak restaurants. Life with Dusty was spontaneous and adventurous. There was also a relaxing side to Dusty, and they loved lounging at home enjoying each other's company. This was just as important. They were united in marriage on 12/03/2015, a beautiful and memorable wedding at St. Pete Beach, Florida.

In 2016, Dusty and Kylie welcomed their first beautiful son, Emerson Robert Lodoen. At that very moment, Dusty found himself in a new role in life, which would become his most prideful and loving part of him: A Dad. In 2019, a second beautiful son would join the family, Asher Kevin Lodoen. Dusty loved his boys and wife more than anything in the entire world. Even on his busiest days, he remained actively involved and often invited the boys out to join him on the farm or wherever he was headed that day.

Dusty always made sure that his family was taken care of, and if he couldn't be there for something, he always had a plan B arranged. His two special sons want to be just like daddy and their lives revolved around everything farm, everything Daddy-related, and being with Daddy's "workers." He truly was their idol and he went over and beyond to be the best dad and husband that we could ever ask for. Dusty spent many hours sleeping/napping wherever and whenever if it made the boys feel comfortable and happy. He enjoyed the naps just as much. They will forever cherish every pickup, combine, tractor, and semi ride with Dad, or just hanging out at the shop with "the guys." There was no object or situation that Dusty couldn't fix. He truly was invincible and constantly told his wife, his love, "Don't worry about it hun!"

Although Dusty's life was too short, it was never boring. He loved staying busy and truly lived each day from sun up to sun down loving his family, taking care of the farm, his crew, insurance clients, and filling voids in the lives of everyone around him.

Some of Dusty's favorite hobbies included golf tournaments, men's nights, social gatherings, snowboarding, cooking, rolling dice and playing blackjack, investing in stocks, watching football (especially NDSU and 49ers), attending the events of his nieces/nephews, donating his time to the community, napping, and spending time with all of his beloved family and friends, even if it went well into the night. His phone was always ringing, and he made sure to take care of everyone else's needs, even before his own.

An encyclopedia could easily and effortlessly be composed on the life of Dusty, and he would probably enjoy reading and reliving it, as he loved reading and was a history buff. Dusty was not a materialistic person, but would rather spend his time and finances on living adventurously and generously.

The best words that repeatedly come to mind when describing Dusty are as follows: generous, BEST friend, influential, loyal, invincible, idol, instigator, hard worker, family man, counselor, negotiator, wise, self-less, and a leader. He was also a son, brother, father, husband, friend, business partner/coworker, cousin, nephew, uncle, and an irreplaceable piece of everyone's life.

Dusty will be missed so greatly and deeply. Keep his memory alive, as he would tell us all that this is the "final final." The truth is, it isn't the "final final" for any of us. So much love and tears will be shed for him eternally, until we meet again.

Dusty's celebration of life will be held at the Richburg Farm shop, his prized possession and place of peace during all farming seasons. The funeral will be held on Thursday, October 8th, at 2:00PM (Located at the shop north of 9339 County RD27B, Newburg).

Dusty is survived by: his wife Kylie and two toddler sons, Emerson and Asher Lodoen (Westhope); Parents Myron and Patty Lodoen (Westhope); Sister Emmy (Bryan) Huber and children of Jud; Brother Danen (Natalie) Lodoen and children of Westhope; Mother and father in laws, Lori (Kevin) Deschamp of Westhope, and Dobie (Lorie) Thom of Maddock; special aunt Wanda Henry of Newburg; Uncles Leonard Lodoen of Westhope, Mylon Lodoen of Indiana, Clyde Kersten of Newburg; Brother and sister in laws, Kendra Thom(Seth Hamnes) of Bottineau, RaeAnn(Ryan) Ellsworth and children of Newburg, Levi Deschamp, Beth, and children of Westhope; cousins, and friends. He is also survived by his farm hands: Taylor Whitlock, Jon (Boy) Sivertson, Wade Genre, and Keith "Doc" Martin.

Dusty is proceeded in death by his grandparents: Lyman and Rosalie Henry and Clarence and Hazel Lodoen; brother in law Kevin Thom, aunts Bette Lodoen and Robyn Kersten, and special Uncle Bob Henry; and Godson Burke Henry.

Arrangements were with Nero Funeral Home in Westhope.  Friends may sign the online regisiter book at www.nerofuneralhome.net.