1927
Gordon
2010
Gordon Dupre
August 31, 1927 — July 24, 2010
GORDON EDWARD DUPRE
Passed Away July 24, 2010
Born on August 31, 1927, Gordon was the 5th of 8 children born to Henry and Mae (Dufresne) Dupre of Centerville, Minnesota. Gordon attended St Bernard’s, Cleveland Jr. High, and Washington High School in St Paul, as well as, Metro State University to earn a BA in Human Services.
He entered the Merchant Marines in 1943 and continued his service in the US Army where he served in Japan under the US Military Government forces until 1947. Gordon and Dolores (Dee) Villeneuve were married October 24,
th
1946 in St Louis Church - “the little French Church” - in St Paul.
Many knew Gordon as a creative and talented musician. Self-taught, Gordon, like his brothers and sisters, played many instruments and sang. His earliest inspiration had come from listening to his aunts, uncles, and especially his grandfather, August Dufresne, playing the fiddle.
Shortly after the war, Gordon and friends formed a country western group called the “Sunflower Ramblers,” in Topeka Kansas. Although the group cut records, played on local radio, and performed live, they never made it big. Gordon, with wife Dolores and daughters Monique and Nanette, returned to Minnesota where daughter number three, Denise, was born and Gordon became a first-time business owner. Not long after that, Gordon found a more profitable outlet for his creativity that provided him with a 15 year career as a hairdresser and beauty salon owner in St Paul. Of course, music remained an important part of his life, and Gordon added the sound of his own fiddle playing to the family gatherings.
In 1966 daughter Janine was born and started a new chapter in Gordon’s life. With a college degree, he established his counseling career in St Paul, traveling with his family to set up new treatment services in Churchill, on Hudson Bay, in Manitoba Canada. When Janine was 11, they moved to the Fergus Falls area where Gordon continued to direct treatment services and develop new programs.
In addition to his dedicated work in counseling and human services, he found time to garden, hunt, fish, and raise sheep on his farm: Frenchman’s Hill. Gordon was a great role model for his grandchildren, Ryder, Christopher, Cody, Elizabeth, and Terra, who share wonderful memories of their time spent on the farm
. Great Granddaughters Samantha and Allison will hear lots of stories about the Grandpa with the mustache and the fiddle.
Grandpa’s favorite way to relax was always playing his favorite old-time tunes. In fact, just weeks away from his 83
rd
birthday, Gordon was still entertaining family and community members, along with residents and hard working staff at Oak Crossing Assisted Living, in Detroit Lakes, where it was agreed - he played all the right notes!
Gordon is survived by his wife, Dolores (Villeneuve) Dupre of Perham, MN; four daughters: Monique (Dan) Fischer of Perham, Nanette Dupre of St. Paul, MN, Denise (Bill) Devine of St. Paul & Janine (Patrick) Conner of Erhard, MN; five grandchildren: Ryder, Cody & Terra Seeler, Chris (Laura) Devine & Elizabeth (Chris) Devine Ryan; two great-grandchildren: Samantha Seeler & Allison Devine; four siblings: Virginia Constans, Eugene (Myrtle) Dupre, Shirley (Raymond) Waldoch & Ronald (Diane) Dupre.
He was preceded in death by his parents: Henry & Mae; & three siblings: Milton, Lloyd & Norma
.
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