Florian Doroff

Florian, age 92, passed away peacefully on Saturday evening, August 11, 2007, at Haven Homes in Maple Plain, MN, where he resided for the past month. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, August 16th, at 10:30 A.M. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls with the Rev. Raymond Donnay officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. Friends may call from 5:00PM - 8:00PM Wednesday and Thursday from 8:00 A.M. a" 10:00 A.M. at the Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service (West Chapel) in Little Falls. A Rosary will be said at 6:00 P.M. Wednesday evening at the funeral chapel. He was born on June 16, 1915, in Pike Creek Township, MN, to the late Joseph and Susan (Zilka) Doroff where he grew up in rural Sobieski. After growing up on the farm, Florian entered the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935 and trained in forestry & soil conservation, fire fighting, flood relief and truck driving. He was later employed by a logging company in Northern Minnesota. Upon returning to Sobieski & the Little Falls area, he began his own milk route, during which he met Betty Smieja for the first time. Florian entered the US Army in 1942 and served during World War II in the Aleutian Islands. In 1945, with an honorable discharge as a Master Sergeant, he returned home to continue the milk route. He and Betty were married on May 14, 1946, and resided in Little Falls for the following 60 years. He became employed by the Little Falls Creamery until, many years later, he became employed by L Redi Mix. In 1959, Florian and Betty built the Dairy Treat and together operated the business for more than 18 years. Upon his retirement, he started his own business, "The Sharp Shop", operated at their home. He enjoyed being outdoors, fishing, hunting, and was an active member of the Lone Eagle Auto Club and VFW for many years. He loved his family and having them come home to spend time. Florian is survived by his sons and daughters, Dennis Doroff of Denver, CO, Karen Doroff-Johnson & husband, Stephen, of St. Paul, MN, Gary Doroff & wife, Kathi, of Fargo, ND, Cynthia Doroff of Waconia, MN, Roxanne Rickert & husband, Michael, of New Germany, MN, and Lisa Orpen & husband, Tim, of Burns Township, MN; grandchildren, Breanne & Ryan Doroff and Kevin & Christopher Orpen; and many nieces and nephews. Florian was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; parents; father & mother-in-law, Peter & Gertrude Smieja; brothers, Anthony, Max, Michael, Peter & Walter Doroff; sisters, Agnes Tomczak, Anne Stitt & Martha Hoffman.