M. A. Dorn

TONY DORN SR. March 06, 1927 - September 05, 2021 OBITUARY M.A. "Tony" Dorn, passed away peacefully, with family by his side, at Oakland Park Communities, on September 5th, 2021, at the age of 94 years. Tony was born in Thief River Falls, MN., to A.H. (Tony) and Louise (Majeres) Dorn. As a child, Tony moved to Moorhead, MN., for two years before returning to Thief River Falls where he remained a life-long resident. He attended St. Bernard's Catholic School through eighth grade and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1944. Tony served in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged. In 1934, Art Hamilton started Hamilton's Busines Machines. In the early 1940's Grundy Aakus and A.H. (Tony) Dorn took over the operations of the company. Upon the untimely death of Tony's father (A.H.), Grundy Aakus purchased the company. Due to his father's unforeseen passing, Tony immediately assumed his father's position as an office equipment and supplies salesman for Grundy's. Twenty-three years later Tony exercised his option to buy Grundy's renaming it Tony Dorn's, Inc. Tony Dorn's, Inc. was later purchased by Marco. Tony was the recipient of several sales awards and honored for his leadership by Canon Copier, Inc. Based upon his commitment to customer relationships, Tony enjoyed life-long friendships that he recalled with great fondness. Prior to entering the service Tony played professional hockey for the New York Rovers and the Washington Lions. His cross-country journey to New York, as a 17-year-old, provided an opportunity for Tony to see areas of the United States he would never have, were it not for hockey. He was always grateful for the many opportunities provided by the game hockey. In addition to being a member of the Rovers and Lions, Tony played several years for the TRF Thieves, making many friends within the area and Canada. Tony was also a member of the "All Star" team which won the US Senior Amateur National Championship in 1952. His hockey prowess was notable. Active in promoting the game of hockey, Tony was integral in the development of youth hockey in Thief River Falls. Ranging from convincing the Minnesota North Stars to play an exhibition game in the old "Huck" to purchasing numerous sets of youth hockey gear through concession sales, Tony devoted immeasurable time to the game he loved. Hunting and "farming" were additional passions Tony held. Active in Ducks Unlimited, conservation programs, planting of hundreds of trees, and growing feeder crops, Tony loved the land. Riding his tractor, tilling the soil, planting the seeds and harvesting his crops were pure pleasure for him. A natural shooter and hunter, he won several Thief River Falls Trap Club tournaments in his flight. Tony shot his limit of geese, ducks, grouse, pheasants, and partridge. The 10-point buck was his trophy. Weekend fishing at the Lake of the Woods with family, provided more outdoor enjoyment for Tony. Tony's recall of the "old days" in Thief River, often earned him a spot as a guest on the local radio station. Tony shared iconic memories of people, buildings, organizations, and companies. A true "storyteller" Tony could turn a short visit into a two-hour tale all the while capturing in detail the very essence of what happened. As one of his friends said, "Tony was the most interesting man I ever met. I learned something new from him every time we visited." Tony married Teddy (Beulke) who was also very active in the business and in hockey, until her passing in 1991. Together they had three children: Kaye (Buzz Marvin) and their children Kelly (Joe Biondi) and Jamie (Troy Mattern); Lynn Dorn; and Tony Dorn Jr. (Connie Hedlund) and their children Tony 3 (Rachael Finstrom) and Alie Dorn. Blake, Kellyn and Lauryn Biondi; Lydia, Cooper, Jax and Ily Mattern; and Tony Charles Dorn are Tony's great grandchildren. Tony married Pat Thompson who proceeded him in death. Pat's children are, Mike (Susan) Thompson and Sandy (Allan) Carlson. Grandchildren include; Kim McKwon, Shawn Carlson, Ryan Carlson and Michelle Clark. Great Grand Children Nathan and Andrew Clark, Ethan, Natalie and Nora Carlson. Tony was proceeded in death by his parents, an infant sister a sister Doreen and a brother Roger along with an infant great grandchild Theo. Tony is survived by several nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, September 11, 2021, with a one hour visitation prior to the service, at St Bernard's Catholic Church, Thief River Falls, MN, with Father Rick Lambert presiding. Burial will follow at St. Bernard's Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Friday, September 10, 2021 at St Bernard's Catholic Church. Preceding the visitation, there will be a Military Honor Guard Ceremony at 5:00 PM by the Ecklund Holmstrom American Legion Post 117, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2793 and United States Navy Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, Tony requested donations be made to the Thief River Falls Education Foundation, for the Tony and Teddy Dorn Scholarship Fund, to help provide continuing education for the youth of Thief River Falls. Source: Johnson Funeral Service