Even though Douglas Legler of Fargo, North Dakota lived a great life, he insisted that his obituary only be two words long and his daughter made sure he got his wish.
When Legler’s obituary appeared in Wednesday’s edition of The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead, it just read “Doug Died.” That’s it. His whole obituary was shorter than his full name by letter count.
“He said over and over, when I die I want my obituary to just say 'Doug Died,'” Legler’s daughter, Janet Stoll, told the Forum. “(Other people's obituaries) would say 'he was the president of this, a director of this' and Dad would say, 'What, couldn't they hold down a job?'”
Stoll said that her father really did lead an exciting life, with plenty of different jobs during his 85 years. He drove for Nash Finch, did vending machine repairs and painted farm equipment. He even loved country music and sang. However, his defining trait was his humor, so it made sense that he would keep that going with his obituary.
Sadly, Legler had a rough few months before his death on June 27, as his girlfriend died unexpectedly last year. His wife and Stoll’s mother, Beverly, died 17 years ago.
The Huffington Post notes that there have been other similarly short obits. Last year, a Stig Kernell of Sweden requested that his obituary simply read “I am dead.”