Myron Lodoen, age 72 of Westhope, tragically left this earth on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 while doing what he loved , driving his John Deer Gator.  His funeral will be held on Monday, May 3, 2021 at 2:00 pm at the First Presbyterian Church in Westhope.  Visitation will be Sunday starting at 5:00 pm with a prayer service at 7:00 pm at the church.  Burial will be at the Westhope Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be given to the American Cancer Society, the Westhope Fire Dept and the Westhope Ambulance.

Myron Wayne Lodoen was born on May 24, 1948, in Bottineau to Clarence and Hazel (Acheson) Lodoen.  He was the youngest of the siblings and made the farmstead complete.  During his childhood, Myron was very active in 4-H, crop judging, showing cattle, sports, and music.  He thought and reminded people often that he was the best saxophone player in Bottineau County.  He graduated with honors from Westhope High School in 1966.  He then attended the Bottineau School of Forestry and played basketball for the Lumberjacks.  Myron continued his education at NDSU in agriculture before heading back to Westhope to begin his farming and ranching career.

On November 26, 1972, Myron married Patricia "Patty" Henry of Newburg.  They had known each other their whole lives as Myron's older brother had married Patty's older sister.  They moved to the same family farmstead where Myron grew up and still resided until his last day.  Together they raised their three children: Emmy, Dustin, and Danen.  Family vacations revolved around showing cattle, looking at cattle or attending bull sales.  Many weeks were also spent at the Minot State fair and various other fairs.  Myron loved the Westhope Sioux and rarely missed events that his kids were in.  In later years he started following his grandkids and became an avid Rebels fan.

Myron loved cattle, especially his Herefords and all of his cattle friends.  Despite his declining health in recent years, he still loved hauling cattle.  Myron and his brother, Leonard raised registered horned Herefords together for many years.

He was a very proud and active member of his community.  He served on various boards including: Bottineau County Fair Board, Farmers Union Board, Sioux Boosters, and the Rural Fireman's Board.  He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where he served as a trustee and was an active member of the "Men's Club".  He also coached pee-wee basketball and took credit for their future success.

Myron has always been known to help others before himself, as he was a genuine "people person".  Strangers became friends to Myron very quickly and he was a counselor to many.  He was a jokester at heart and loved stirring the pot with politics.  Myron reminded his family that he had the fastest reflexes in Bottineau County, could beat anyone in leg wrestling, and that he was "the planner".

"Grandpa Moo" will be remembered for his plaid pajama pants, delivering baked goods, his stash of Salted Nut Rolls, his big heart, and for the trail of newspapers that he always left behind him.

Myron is survived by his wife of 48 years, Patty; daughter Emmy and her husband Bryan Huber and children, Isaac, Alex and Betsy of Jud, ND; daughter-in-law Kylie Lodoen and children, Emerson and Asher of Westhope; son Danen and his wife Natalie and children Everly and Lincoln of Westhope; brothers, Leonard (Maysil) Lodoen and Mylon Lodoen (Teresa); brother-in-law, Clyde Kersten; sister-in-law, Wanda Henry; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his son, Dusty; his parents; sisters-in-law, Betty Lodoen and Robyn Kersten; brother-in-law, Bob Henry; and an infant sister, Linda Lou