Tom Dorry

Thomas “Tom” Dorry, age 79, of Ortonville, MN, passed away on Monday, September 15, 2025, at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Living Word Lutheran Church in Milbank, SD. A visitation will be held on Friday, September 19, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Mundwiler and Larson Funeral Home in Ortonville, MN. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Pastor Curtis Simonson will officiate the service and inurnment will take place at Mound Cemetery in Ortonville at a later date.

Thomas Jerome Dorry was born on April 7, 1946, in Ortonville, MN, to Walter and Ramona (Gloege) Dorry. He was baptized and confirmed into the Christian faith at the Methodist Church in Ortonville, MN, (all 3 brothers were baptized at the same time).

Tom graduated from Ortonville High School in 1965. The summer after high school, he was a lifeguard at the Public Beach. He saved his money and attended Wahpeton School of Science for one quarter and realized he never liked school.

The Vietnam War draft notice was waiting for him when he got home. He joined the US Navy in 1966. They had him sign up to be an Aviation Mechanic but had openings in the Frogman program. “They” told him he wouldn’t make it – and look how that turned out. He was UDT 11 – Underwater Demolition Team 11. (Don’t tell Tom Dorry that he can’t do something)! He returned home to Ortonville in late 1969. He was honorably discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States of America on January 18, 1972.

Tom worked for both Arlin “Red” Lacombe and Morrie Howland and owned Tom’s Skelly prior to being employed at Pepsi Cola. He drove over the road semi from January of 1980 to April of 2011. During those years, he drove over four million accident-free miles. Tom would take his vacation and go drive beet trucks.

Tom was united in marriage with Gwendolyn Marie Larson on September 23, 1972. They were blessed with four boys: Chris, Ben, Abe, and Jake.

Throughout the years, Tom enjoyed racing cars at the Canby Speedway. He loved NASCAR when there was Dodge/Mopar! He loved the water, sailing his Tri-toon and living on the lake. He always said he was never going to live anywhere else. Tom lived in the same house for 50+ years. He was an excellent craftsman and loved fixing the house. The rock work outside and the fireplace in the “mancave” are just a few of the projects he did.

When the kids were young, the family could be found at the Big Stone State Park camping on the weekends. Tom always had a skit for the Gloege Family Reunion. He loved all his nieces and nephews! He literally was the “fun uncle”.

After retirement, he bought a tractor and could be found mowing or plowing snow. He was very generous with his time and talents. Tom was very involved in the church – he was an elder, on the Church Council, volunteered as a Sunday School teacher, and was involved in the youth groups. He was also a boy scout leader. The Soapbox Derby was a highlight! He was very involved in Jaycees. If there was a challenge, everyone definitely knew he was going to be a part of the pop bottle boat races – better not throw any away!

Tom had his dog, Mutzy, as his companion for several years. She was an amazing friend to him, and they could walk from the Peninsula all around the golf course and home without a leash. She never left his side.

After Mutzy passed away, Tom ran into an old friend at the holiday station, asked her on a date, by the second date, he was calling her the future Mrs. Dorry. A year later, Thomas J. married Terie J. (Teresa Nelson McLaughlin) and Terie’s adult children: Megan, Micah, Jared, and Reilly got a “bonus dad”. Though their time together was short (9 years), they made great memories. Tom even made a three-person kayak (the Hunkydorry 5) as he, Terie, and Gabby, their Border Collie, were going to spend some time on the lake. One day, they saw a rescue dog and three became four, so the kayak got used but with no other passengers except Tom and Terie.

It would be remiss not to mention that Tom had a beautiful blue Dodge Ram with the license plates of: XFrog. It is believed that it may have gotten someone out of a speeding ticket but that’s another story.

One of the things Tom would always say after any family time was: “That was fun”. Tom passed away on Monday, September 15, 2025, at the age of 79. Thank you, Mr. Dorry – that WAS fun!

Tom is lovingly and forever loved by his wife, Terie: sons: Chris (Kari), Ben (Larissa), Abe, and Jake (Orquidea); grandchildren: Jenna Dorry, Logan Benson, Josiah McLaughlin, Eliot Dorry, Owen Dorry, Archer Dorry, Israel Funches, Janelle Funches, Genesis Funches, Kiaus Boyd, Cameron McLaughlin, Maximilian Boyd, London Boyd, Billie McLaughlin, and Grandbaby #15 Dorry; brothers: Bill (Vicki) and Mike (Diane); sisters: Sue (Bill) Roshon, Mardell Adams, and Barb Johnson; fur babies: Gabby and Sadie; his VFW brothers; and many friends and relatives.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Ramona Dorry; adopted sister, Mardell Adams; and his faithful friend, Mutzy.