Thomas “Tom” Wesley Dorn, who worked in the Nebraska Extension office and won multiple awards in his career, died Feb. 21 at the Independence House at Coddington in Lincoln, Nebraska. He was 65.
Dorn was born Oct. 31, 1951 to Lewis “Bud” and Amy (Patterson) Dorn in Blair, Nebraska. He grew up in Tekamah, Nebraska, graduating from Tekamah High School in 1970.
He married Cecelia Ann (Chamberlain) Dorn in 1971 and they celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary in 2016.
Dorn attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and graduated in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture. He received his master’s degree in agricultural engineering in 1976.
After college, Dorn moved to southwestern Kansas and was one of the first crop consultants for Servi-Tech. In 1980, Dorn and his wife moved back to Nebraska as he started a 33 year career with Nebraska Extension.
Dorn took on different positions and specialties in his Nebraska Extension career. He worked and lived near Concord, O’Neill, Geneva and Lincoln.
Dorn earned Nebraska Extension’s annual award for outstanding service in 2007 and the Holling Family Award for Teaching Excellence in Extension in 2008.
His favorite saying for both work and personal relationships was, “They don’t care what you know unless they know that you care.” Dorn loved the outdoors and enjoyed traveling, camping, hiking, bike riding, snow skiing, stargazing, water sports and fixing things. He was a trivia buff with a witty sense of humor and made jokes effortlessly. He was famous for his chocolate chip cookies and homemade bread.
Among his fondest and most meaningful memories was the opportunity to build homes for people in Mexico. He also cherished time spent with his children and grandchildren.
Dorn is survived by his wife, Cecelia; daughter, Sara (Paul) Ladd; son, John Dorn; grandchildren, Alexa Ladd and Parker Ladd; sisters, Linda Harmer, Jeanne Halsey, Barbara Devney and Pam Been.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Lucas James.
Visitation and funeral services are Feb. 24 in Tekamah. For more information, click here.
