Michael Dooner

Michael “Mike” Dooner, age 91, of Gaylord (formerly of rural Arlington), passed away on Monday, November 10, 2025, at Bayside Manor in Gaylord.

Mike was born near Morgan, Minnesota, on December 28, 1933, to Michael and Martha (Johnson) Dooner. He graduated from Bird Island High School in 1951 and farmed with his family for several years.

On January 20, 1955, Mike was united in marriage to Marilyn Hawton in Mason City, Iowa. Together, they made their home in Morton, Redwood Falls, Green Isle, and later near Arlington, where they lived for 46 years on their hobby farm in Dryden Township, Sibley County.

In addition to farming, Mike worked in sales for Farmhand in Green Isle and later for Haukos Brothers Farm Equipment and Glencoe Ford-Mercury. An avid baseball player, he played town and amateur ball for Morton, Green Isle, and Arlington, and was honored as a member of the Arlington A’s Baseball Hall of Fame. Mike also served his community as a member and chairman of the Arlington School Board.

He enjoyed working around his farm and cherished spending time with his family—especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mike is survived by his loving wife, Marilyn of Gaylord; his children, Vicki (Lee) Sauter of Belle Plaine, Robin (Mike) Hartmann of Red Wing, and Michael Dooner of Newton, NJ; daughter-in-law, Terri (Dooner) Nelson; 13 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren; and his sister, JoAnn Holien of Granite Falls.

He was preceded in death by his son, Scott; brothers, Clarence and Don; and sisters, Dorothy Rebstock, Lois Frank, Shirley Brandjord, Donna Eisenbacher, and Kathleen Perazzo.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 14, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Green Isle, MN, with Pastor Eric Rapp officiating. Visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will be at a later date at Arlington Public Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church or Ridgeview Hospice.