Gregory Dale Dodson

1950 - 2025

Waseca - Gregory Dale Dodson, age 75, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 28, 2025 surrounded by love of family at the Minnesota Veterans Home-Minneapolis.

Greg was born in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1950, the first child of Dale and Iva (Mathison) Dodson. The family later grew with the addition of three daughters-Deborah Dodson Terrian, Linda Dodson(Bill Dugan), and Judy Dodson(David Berridge)-and eventually made Northfield, MN, their home.

Greg graduated from Northfield High School and attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, before being drafted into the US Army. He proudly served in the Vietnam War as an Airborne Ranger with the G-75th as a LRRP (Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol), one of the most elite units in the US Army.

After returning stateside, Greg built a career as a trainer with the Minnesota Army National Guard, full time active guard reserve. His service took him to Redwood Falls and Tracy, MN, winter operations in Norway, and finally to Mankato, MN, where he retired in 1995 as a 1st Sergeant Senior Engineer. He then began another career managing Burger King restaurants in Owatonna and Mankato. Greg worked long hours but always made time to enjoy golf and hiking-especially along the North Shore-and listening to music, with The Beatles as his favorite. Later, in retirement, he worked part-time at Kwik Trip in Waseca. As his disabilities progressed, he moved to the Veterans Home in December 2023, where he made his final home.

From his youth through adulthood, Greg cherished time at the family cabin in Grand Marais, MN, and canoe trips into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. He loved skipping rocks on Lake Superior, reading USA Today, National Geographic, and Time, and sharing his broad knowledge of many subjects. At home, he found joy in feeding the birds (and chasing away the squirrels).

Greg married Gail St. John in 1975, adopting her two children, Joel (St. John) and Tracy (Brad Ries). Together they welcomed their son, Craig (Andrea Dodson), in 1978. Greg and Gail later divorced in 1995. In 2003, Greg married Sharon Casey, and Waseca, MN became home. With Sharon, Greg's family grew to include stepdaughters Jennifer (David Miller), Elizabeth (Michael Schoenecker), and Kathryn (Conor Bennett). Greg adored Sharon for the many years they were together. He showered her with notes of affection, greatest love song mix tapes, by taking care of many tasks around the home (inside and outside), chauffeuring the girls to their many practices and events, and eventually welcoming ten grandchildren into the family.

Greg was preceded in death by his parents, Dale (1993) and Iva (2025); his brother-in-law, Robert Terrian (2022); and his beloved dog, Jetta (2025). He carried in his heart the memory of his fallen brothers in arms.

He is survived by his wife; children, stepchildren, and grandchildren; and his three sisters. Greg deeply valued the friendships he formed during his years of service. He and his loyal friend, Darryl DeRemer, organized reunions for the Redwood Falls, Tracy and Mankato divisions of the Minnesota Army National Guard, keeping those bonds alive.

Funeral services will be held at the Minnesota Veterans Home-Minneapolis, 5101 Minnehaha Avenue, Minneapolis, MN on Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at 10:30 AM. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service. Gathering for interment will follow at Fort Snelling National Cemetery promptly at 12:45 PM with full military honors.