Douglas Cullen
Douglas Cullen passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 24, 2025 at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, ND.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 PM with a 6:30 PM prayer service with Father Rick Lambert officiating at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service on Friday.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, May 30, 2025 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Goodridge, MN with Father Bryan Kujawa officiating. Burial will follow at Poplar Grove Cemetery rural Goodridge, MN.
Douglas Anthony Cullen was born April 18,1942 on the family farm near Goodridge, MN. The son of the late Thomas William Sr. and Leola Margaret (Portwine) Cullen. He was raised on the family farm and attended school in Goodridge, Class of 1961. He joined the Army National Guard in 1966 served in Fort Lenward, MO, Fort Dicks, NJ and Camp Ripley, MN and received the rank of Spec 4 Corporal.
In the fall of 1970, he met the love of his life, Virginia, at Paul Kiesow’s barn dance. On March 6, 1971, he was united in marriage to Virginia Critser at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Thief River Falls, MN. To this union 6 children were born Shelley, Anthony, Paul, Charlotte, Andrea, and Tamara. They were married over 50 years, and shared love, faith and raising a family until Virginia passed away in January 2022.
The couple made their home on the family farm where his true passion was farming. Doug grew small grains and raised livestock which included pigs and cows. Doug also worked off the farm where he got started in the plumbing business first working at Lee Plumbing and Heating and then as a High-Pressure Steam Fitter. He joined Pipefitters Union Local 126 based out of Detroit Lakes, MN and was a proud member for 56 years. As a Pipefitter he traveled throughout Minnesota and North Dakota working on power plants, paper mills, missile silos, pumping stations, beet plants, schools and hospitals.
Doug was an active member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church where he helped with many projects including installing a supportive structural beam, welding advent wreaths and various other projects as assigned by his wife.
Doug enjoyed all things farming not only planting and harvesting, but improving his farmland using his big toys, the backhoe, the D7 Cat and the Skidsteer “Holy Mack”. He took pride in his welding projects, one of which was inventing the Quick Pick rock picker where he received a Patent. Doug had a soft spot for his pet horses, Mickey and TJ. He enjoyed a good episode of Gunsmoke and MASH. He appreciated a good cup of Folgers coffee and always having a pot ready to go for family, friends and neighbors who stopped by. Some of his hidden talents included silly faces, quick wit, and singing classic silly songs such as the Auctioneer, The Man From Tor’em and the Purple People Eater. When he wasn’t being silly, he was a stubborn Irishman who would do anything to protect his family.
Doug is survived by his loving children Shelley (Paul) Giauque of Cape Coral, FL, Anthony (Dottie) Cullen of East Helena, MT, Paul (Melissa) Cullen of Helena, MT, Charlotte (Dale) Otremba of Fargo, ND, Andrea (Kevin) Wanner of Fargo, ND and Tamara Salentiny of Thief River Falls, MN; grandchildren Riley (Anna) Giauque, Hailey (Jacob) Briggs, Kieth Cullen, Thomas Cullen, Allyn Cullen, Mattie Cullen, Will Cullen, Tate Cullen, Hannah Otremba, Alaynah Otremba, Logan Otremba, Dominiq Holmgren, Lilly Holmgren, Annie Jane Cullen, Brooklyn Salentiny, Connor Salentiny and Peter Salentiny; siblings, John (Louise) Cullen, Agnes Kuznia, and Margaret Syverson; along with several cousins, nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his wife Virginia; parents, Thomas Sr. and Leola Cullen; siblings Robert Cullen, Loretta (Edward) Stucy, Tommy (Marilyn) Cullen, Joe Cullen, sister-in-law Jan Cullen, brothers-in-law Warren Syverson, Ray Kuznia; niece Jenny Cullen and nephew Greg Syverson, great-nephews Chad Johnson, AJ Wavra and Derek Alby.
Most of all he loved and cherished the time spent with his 6 children and 17 grandchildren. Doug had the kindest heart and was an energizer bunny till the end.
“Bye Loveya Seeya”
