William Joseph "Joe" Dickason

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of William Joseph Dickason ('Joe'). Joe was born February 11th, 1939, in Council Bluffs Iowa, to Dr. Ralph B and Susan (Hushaw) Dickason. Joe's life was characterized by dedicated service to youth, his community and church, and the nation that he dearly loved. These values were shaped at an early age by his family in Iowa, including his beloved father, who spent most of Joe's early childhood separated from the family serving the nation during WWII, participating in the invasion of Normandy. Upon his father's return from the war, the family re-located to Webster City, IA, where Joe grew to be an outstanding high school athlete, famously scoring four touchdowns in a single game for the Webster City High School Lynx, who were undefeated his senior year in high school. It was on the rivers, lakes, and farmlands of central Iowa where he hunted, fished, and trapped as a teenager that Joe developed his lifelong love of the outdoors. After graduating high school, Joe attended Loras college in Des Moines and was a safety on the football team. Athletics remained a central passion for the remainder of his life as he became an avid sports fan, bowler, youth soccer coach, and a very skilled golfer, boasting at one point a low single digit handicap and recording two holes in one. He attended Loras College for two years before transferring and eventually graduating from Creighton University in 1961, with a BA in Economics and Psychology. He then enlisted in the Army, traversed the Atlantic by ship, and was stationed for three years in Germany, serving as a record clerk at an army headquarters.

Upon completing his service, he embarked on a long career helping youth and other service members find occupations and employment by working as a vocational counselor. Beginning in Denver, Joe worked helping disadvantaged youth for the state of Colorado. It was in Denver that he would meet the love of his life, Glenda Marie Boren, of Booker, TX. In 1969, he would marry Glenda in Perryton, TX and soon after their marriage, he realized a lifelong dream to explore the wilderness of Alaska when he took a job as a youth counselor and later a veteran counselor at Elmendorf AFB, in Anchorage, AK. He lived in Anchorage for four years, where he completed a master's degree in psychology, had many outdoor adventures, and he and Glenda welcomed two children, Timothy and Jennifer, into their family. In May of 1974, Joe accepted a job with the Veteran's Administration in Albuquerque, NM, and was subsequently transferred in 1975 to the Fargo VA, where he served as a vocational rehabilitation counselor for the remainder of his career. Upon his arrival, they purchased a home in Moorhead, where Joe and Glenda would remain for the rest of their lives. In his long career, he helped innumerable disadvantaged youth and former service members fulfill their potential by assisting them in identifying their potential occupational choices, facilitating their training, and supporting their business ideas. Countless nascent businesses and careers were assisted by his diligent efforts and selfless service.

Joes source of greatest joy was his children and grandchildren. He especially enjoyed watching them participate in sports and other school activities. He was very engaged in his grandchildren's and friend's lives and was an exceptionally giving and compassionate person that, somehow, gave to every person he interacted with and impacted their life. Joe was also a remarkably simple man; he loved fishing on his 14-foot Alumicraft boat equipped with a 10 hp outboard motor that he owned and maintained for over 40 years. Above all, his Catholic faith brought him peace and joy. He was a devout Catholic and an active member of St. Joseph's church who volunteered much of his time to the Dorothy Day House and church events. He lived a holy and serving life and his strong Catholic faith will live on within his family. In the presence of his family, at his home, and under the care of Sanford Hospice, supported by the generosity of Fargo VA Healthcare, Joe died Sunday, December 10, 2023. He had bravely battled cancer and other complications for years.

He was preceded in death by his wife Glenda Marie Dickason; father and mother Ralph and Sue ( Hushaw) Dickason; brother James Ralph Dickason; and granddaughter Sarah Dickason. 

Joe is survived by his son Dr. Timothy (Haydee) Dickason, Lakeland FL: daughter Jennifer (Michael) Ernst of rural Wolverton MN; 7 grandchildren, Devinne (Sam) Jochum, Blake Anderson, Hunter Anderson, Jace Ernst, Anarosa Dickason, Joseph Dickason, and Marie Dickason.

Visitation for Joe will be Sunday, December 17, 2023, from 5 - 6:30 PM, with a prayer service at 6:30 PM, at Korsmo Funeral and Cremation Service, Moorhead.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, December 18, 2023, at 11 AM, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Moorhead.

Burial will take place Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at 1 PM, in St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, Moorhead.