Anthony "Tony" M. Dexheimer, 89, died Monday, April 30, 2012, in his home in rural Ulen, MN.

Tony was born on May 9, 1922, near Karlsruhe, ND, the son of Francis and Anton Dexheimer. Tony was raised on a farm in rural Towner, ND, and was one of twelve children. He attended rural school, helped on the family farm, and was drafted into the army during World War II. He served in the South Pacific as part of the 96th Reconnaissance Division on the Islands of Okinawa and Leyte.

After the War when he returned to the States, Tony met Ada Gordon of Sweet Home, OR. They were married at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Fargo, ND, on September 9, 1949. Tony worked as Foreman for Sorlie Potato Company in Moorhead, MN, before returning to rural Towner to take over the family farm. He later became herdsman of a large Brown Swiss dairy farm in rural Hillsboro, ND, owned by Harry Tonn. While there, Tony made national farm news headlines when one of the Brown Swiss Dairy Cows he had raised and groomed became a World Champion.

In 1958, Tony, Ada, and their first two children, Gordon and Heather, moved to a farm of their own in rural Ulen, MN. It was there that Tony raised his own Holstein and Brown Swiss dairy animals, as well as corn and small grains. Tony and Ada had two more children, David and Claudia, and he and Ada continued to live on the farm to the present time.

Tony also drove school bus for Ulen Public and later Ulen-Hitterdal Schools from the late 1960's to the early 1980's, and also worked for Fevig Oil Company in Ulen for a number of years after he quit farming and before his retirement.

Tony loved working outside and continued to work throughout his life. He would have been 90 years old on May 9th. He always looked forward to spending time with his family who knew him as a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. He was generous to a fault, willing to give all he had to give to those he loved. He had a number of hobbies which included working in his basement workshop, gardening, taking care of his large lawn, and fixing various things around the farm.

Tony was preceded in death by his mother and father; his sisters, Christine Oakland, Mary Faine, Kathryn Sieg, Julia Swanson, and Agatha Ramsfield; his brothers, Leopold Dexheimer, Balzer Dexheimer, Lawrence Dexheimer, and Johnny Dexheimer; and two grandsons, Troy Dexheimer and Trevor Dexheimer.

Tony is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ada; his sons, Gordon (Brenda) Dexheimer, and David Dexheimer (Everett Tong); his daughters, Heather (Wayne) Eklund, and Claudia Brendemuhl; Mary O'Leary, whom he always considered as his own daughter; his grandchildren, Kyle (Janelle) Dexheimer, Robert (Beverly) Dexheimer, Autumn Brendemuhl, Ethan Brendemuhl, and Winter Brendemuhl; his great-grandchildren, Annie Dexheimer and Riley Dexheimer; two sisters, Cecelia Steenson and Magdalene Jones; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Tony is dearly loved and his memory will forever be cherished by his family and his friends.

A Memorial Mass was held on Saturday, May 5, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. in St. William Catholic Church, Twin Valley. A Time of Gathering was one hour before services at the church on Saturday. Officiating was Father Larry Delaney and Deacon Nick Revere. Peggy Hanson served as organist with special music provided by Tanya Kemper and Jens Anderson. Honorary urn bearers were his grandchildren, Kyle Dexheimer, Robert Dexheimer, Autumn Brendemuhl, Ethan Brendemuhl and Winter Brendemuhl. Flag presentation were the Twin Valley Nesseth-Lien Post #431 of the American Legion.

Inurnment were in Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN.