Susan "Sue" Dow

Susan “Sue” Marie Dow (née Slinde), 80, passed on Monday, June 2, 2025, following a swift, courageous battle with brain cancer.

Born to Arnold and June (née Cormack) Slinde in Fargo, ND, Sue grew up on the ‘north side’ graduating from Fargo Central High School in 1962. She attended Moorhead State University and graduated from Dunphy Associated Business School. She married Gerald “Jerry” Dow on July 5, 1969, at St Mark’s Lutheran Church.

Sue’s career was marked by dedication and professionalism in her roles at BCBS ND, Bismarck School District, North Dakota State Tax Department and Millard School District. She leaned into her love of fashion and retail at Herbst Department Store as a young woman and later in retirement at Herberger’s Department Store in Moorhead with co-workers who were much like a second family. She served as a Board Member for Dakota Del-Co Credit Union and was actively serving in leadership roles on First Lutheran’s Church Council and her neighborhood association at the time of her passing.

A long-time member of Heather and Thistle Pipes and Drums, Sue celebrated her Scottish ancestry playing bagpipes at the annual St Andrews Society dinner, participating in the Scottish tradition of the Kirkin' o' the Tartans and marching with the band in the annual St Patrick’s Day parade and in parades all over the region.

Sue lived her faith generously, sharing her time and talents with her church and local community organizations with a special fondness for The New Life Center and Emergency Food Pantry. She was happiest in the company of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and fur-babies; volunteering each summer at Medora; and enjoying her summers at the lake cabin on Little Pelican. Her vibrant social life filled her calendar with monthly card games, breakfast and lunch dates, lively gatherings with Good Grief Girls, and memorable ‘girls’ trips’ to see Daniel O’Donnell perform at Hostfest. She was always game for a fun, new adventure and loved traveling near and far with family and friends.

Sue is survived by her children Jayne (Curtis) Dow Larkin and Ben Dow; grandchildren Cassidy (Bryan) Bokusky, Cody Dow, and Gillian Larkin; great-grandchildren Gemma and Margot; sister Shari (Ed) Franklin; brother Terry (Maribel) Slinde; sister-in-law Beverly (Irv) Aal; nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband Jerry; their infant daughter Jacqueline Daria; her parents; parents-in-law Vernon and Mildred Dow; brother-in-law Charles Dow; sister-in-law Laura Dow; nephew Douglas Franklin; and niece Debra Dow.

Sue’s family extends heartfelt thanks to all her dear friends and extended family who visited and called, sent flowers texts and cards and brought good food and chocolate along with First Lutheran’s Abigail Circle, Dr. Jackson and Dr. Wiisanen at Sanford Health, the caring team at PAM Acute Rehab, our compassionate home aides from Senior Helpers, our Essentia Home Health therapists, and the dedicated staff at Sanford Hospice House who all walked with us on Sue’s brief and difficult journey.

in lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the New Life Center of Fargo in Sue's honor HERE