Raymond Robert Dorn, 89, of Brookings, died peacefully on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017.
Funeral services are at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Brookings. Visitation is 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday with a 6:30 p.m. Liturgical Wake Service at St. Thomas More Catholic Church. Rude’s Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements. In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation to the Roncalli Foundation Inc. and Lion’s Club.
Ray was born on Sept. 11, 1928, in Brookings. He was the youngest of three sons of Charles H. and Alice E. (Irrgang) Dorn.
Ray received his education in Brookings High School and graduated from BHS in 1946.
Upon graduation he went on to serve in the United States Army from 1946 to 1948. Ray then attended South Dakota State University from 1948-1953 where he received a bachelor’s degree in economics. He took additional course work from George Washington University in financial management and government administration.
His professional career began with employment at HD Electric from 1953-55 in Clear Lake. He was employed for 28 years with the South Dakota Department of Labor. Retiring from the South Dakota Department of Labor in Aberdeen, he became director of personnel and public relations for the Brookings Hospital / Brookview Manor for 10 years, retiring in 1993.
After that he formed his own consulting firm working with numerous private and public corporations and entities.
Ray married Violet J Walz (his loving and adoring wife as many have heard him say) on April 17, 1959 in Freeman. They had two daughters Elizabeth Ann and Mary Alice and one son John Patrick. They moved from Aberdeen to Ray’s hometown of Brookings in 1984.
Ray’s door was always open to any and all. He gave his time, energy and love to the Knights of Columbus, Golden K, American Legion, Elks, SDSU Booster Club, Habitat for Humanity, Citizen’s Patrol, East Central Mental Health, and St Thomas More among others.
During his free time Ray loved cheering on the Packers and Jackrabbits, attending SDSU sporting events and traveling abroad with his wife as well as visiting kids and grandkids.
Ray was known and loved by the Brookings community for his smile, sense of humor, kindness and witty repertoire.
Ray is survived by his wife, Violet; two daughters Elizabeth Poitras and her husband Ken; Mary Alice Petersen and her husband Kent; one son John Dorn and his wife Melanie; six grandchildren, Emma Dorn, James Dorn, Alex Petersen, Mia Petersen, Andrew Poitras, Elizabeth Poitras. His nephews Chuck Dorn, Don Dorn, Dan Eclove, Mark Eclove and one niece Kate Willard.
He was preceded in death by his brothers Jim and Don Dorn; and his grandson Daniel B. Guhin.
Condolences may be sent to the family through www.rudesfuneralhome.com.
