Darla Jo Dockter was born March 27, 1969, to Paul and Kathleen (Rheault) Thompson in Fargo, ND, growing up near the fork of the Red River and the Wild Rice River, south of Fargo. She attended Jefferson Elementary, Agassiz Junior High, and graduated from Fargo South High School in 1987. After graduation, she attended North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) in Wahpeton, ND. She earned an Associate’s Degree in accounting. She was employed by RBF Contracting in Moorhead as their office manager/treasurer.