Tom E. Dinndorf

A Mass of Christian burial for Tom Dinndorf of Baudette will be held on Saturday, October 27, 2018 at 12 noon at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Baudette.  A visitation will be on Friday from 5--7 PM with a 6:30 Vigil Service at Sacred Heart Church. Military honors by the Baudette Veterans Ceremonial Squad and interment will be at the Elm Park Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Lakewood Regional Healthcare Foundation in Baudette at 800/245-9483. 

THOMAS EDMUND DINNDORF - 84

Born April 25, 1934, to Helen (Winter) and Alex Dinndorf in Albany, Minnesota, Tom began his life’s journey filled with generosity, love and curiosity. He grew up in Albany, where he worked as a “soda jerk” at the family-owned drug store and where he courted his high school sweetheart, Mary Fridland. After graduation from the University of Minnesota and serving in the Army Medical Corps as a Pharmacist, he and Mary were married on June 14, 1958. They soon moved to Baudette in 1959 to work at Rowell Labs®. Four children were born in Baudette, then four weddings, followed by eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Tom and Mary later lived in Atlanta, GA, Punta Gorda, FL and the Twin Cities, but Baudette was always “home”, and is where they returned after retirement.

Tom had a passion for aviation, was an accomplished private pilot and was instrumental in the development of Baudette International Airport. His deep commitment to community service also included the Baudette fire department, ambulance squad, Rotary, Knights of Columbus and Economic Development Authority. Tom’s death came unexpectedly on October 19, 2018, but he was surrounded by those who loved him, including his recent very special friend Helen Olson.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents; brother Allen; wife Mary; son Mark; first grandchild, Alicia Ellis; and great-grandchild, CoCo. He is survived by his children Ann (Steve) Ellis, Kathleen (Peter) Armstrong, Mike Dinndorf, daughter-in-law Carla, grandchildren Lisa (Brent), Laura (Brayden), Madison, Sarah, Alex, Emily, and Ema and great grandchildren Ellis, Joelle and Ivy.

Tom’s mission in life was to make other people’s lives better.  In honor of his memory, consider doing the same.

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