Michael Donn Dornseif
April 4, 1947 ~ May 8, 2023
Michael Donn Dornseif, age 76, passed away at Regions Hospital surrounded by family, on Monday, May 8, 2023, following a brief illness.
Mike was born on April 4, 1947, the second son of Westley and Olive Dornseif. Mike grew up in St. Paul and attended Alexander Ramsey High School before joining the Army and serving in Vietnam with Special Forces; he was also a proud graduate of the University of Minnesota. Upon his return from his final tour of duty, Mike met the love of his life, JoAnne Bosh, and after a whirlwind courtship, they married in November of 1968 and were married for 45 years until JoAnne’s death in December of 2013. They raised their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in Columbus township, where Mike served as a coach, 4H leader and volunteer. Mike moved to Ft. Myers, Florida, in January of 2014, where he lived until returning to Minnesota in the fall of 2022.
Mike had many jobs throughout his lifetime, before finding his true calling in Youth Development and Alternative Education. Mike served Forest Lake Area Schools as the Youth Development and Service Learning Coordinator and in November, 1989, his vision of an alternative high school was realized with the opening of the Forest Lake Area Learning Center. Throughout his more than 30 years with Forest Lake Area Schools, Mike touched the lives of hundreds of youth in the Forest Lake Area, building an extended family of staff, students and their families. After his retirement, Mike continued to support “his kids” however he could, even becoming an ordained minister so he could perform wedding ceremonies for his former students. When Mike lost his home in Ft. Myers to Hurricane Ian in September of 2022, his former students rallied behind him, creating a GoFund Me campaign to raise money to help him move back to Minnesota and rebuild his life.
Mike was proceeded in death by his wife JoAnne Bosh, his parents Westley and Olive (Skelton), brothers Gene and Bill, and in-laws Bennie and Ethel (Lala) Bosh. He is survived by children Michelle (John) Ulvin, Sara, and Jake (Lael) Dornseif; grandchildren, Ashlee (Jared) Pompilio, Mackenzie (Tony Hofman), Ian Ulvin, and Ben, Allison and Brayden Dornseif; great-grandchildren Alex, Gianna and Sawyer; dear friends Ed and Carol Shaorian; and his family from the Forest Lake Area Learning Center.
A celebration of Mike’s life will be hosted at the Forest Lake Area Schools Education Center, 943 9th Ave. SW, Forest Lake, MN on Saturday, June 3, 2023 from 1:30-3:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the family.
I am grateful and blessed to have had you and your family in my life. Thank you for always being you no matter what. You helped so many of us to become who we are today. Because of that your legacy will live on as we pass the knowledge you gave to us to the generations to come. Until we meet again. One Love, One Family! That’s all we got
RIP Michael
A wonderful man, he will be missed
Mike was one of the first people we met when we moved to Forest Lake. He became a dear friend and we applauded his work with youth. He will be missed. Jan Mehlhoff
So very sorry for your loss!
Mike Dornseif was the first truly loving and caring man I ever had in my life. Don’t get me wrong, I have always loved my father. Mike genuinely cared about everyone in his life. I am just as hurt as everyone who was fortunate enough to meet this great person. I’m sure I’m not going through as much as his children and family are. Thank you Mike Dornseif for giving me hope when I was at a very hopeless time in my life.
Mike was a good man, with a GREAT heart. He truly cared about all young people, and would offer to work, volunteer, chaperone, or assist many various youth activities. He had a special love for “at-risk” kids.
Rest in peace Mike, for a life well-lived.
Mike..how to put in words my feelings. I’m so grateful for the ALC and all the quirky teachers you brought in. They loved on a severely traumatized, anorexic girl, when traditional school had given up on me. They pushed me to get my GED. You tolerated my endless questions and attitude. You made a community, Mike. We are all united because of you.
Mike was a great guy. He always greeted us when we walked in the doors of the ALC. He was one of the first to shake my head when I came to check out the ALC in the old building and then moving to the other building behind south west. Mike helped me and so many others realize we were special and that we were worthy of so much more then those who told us we weren’t. He will be missed by many.