Dennis Anhorn, 73, Max, died Tuesday, February 19, 2013, in a Minot nursing home.

Dennis was born December 14, 1939, in Denhoff, ND to William and Lillian (Matties) Anhorn. He was raised near Sawyer, ND by his great-uncle Ed and Inga Mathis and graduated from Sawyer High School in 1958.

He was united in marriage to Beverly Larson on July 3, 1958. They made their home in the Sawyer area for many years until purchasing the Mathis dairy farmstead in 1983.

Dennis carried many jobs and areas of expertise throughout his lifetime. As a young man he assisted in the creation of the Garrison Dam by pouring concrete in the tunnels of the structure. He also worked as a mechanic at a variety of service stations in Minot that included Adam's Truck Stop and Ward Standards Service Station.

Dennis also assisted many South Prairie area farmers over the years, but spent most of his time working for Carl Buechler. He became the foreman of Carl's farming/ranching operation, working from 1969 until he began his own operation in 1983. In addition to farming and ranching, Dennis became a devoted bus driver for the Sawyer School for many years.

Dennis and Beverly operated the dairy portion of their ranch until 1987 when they shifted to beef cattle. Dennis retired in 2004 due to his health, but Beverly has continued the operation of the ranch.

Dennis was a member of Saron Lutheran Church, rural Minot and served for many years on the Newman Township Board. He will be remembered for his ability to fix anything, often serving as an instructor for Beverly in his later years. Dennis supported his family and was often in attendance at his grandchildren's sporting events over the years. When he was unable to attend the games, his grandchildren would wear bright colored shoes, so he could find them on his television screen. He will be deeply missed to those who knew him as a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend.

His loving family includes loving wife of 54 years, Beverly, Max; children, Karen (Todd) Brabandt, Sawyer, Keith (Lori) Anhorn, Stanley, ND, Sue (Duane) Lund, Sawyer and Dean (Andrea) Anhorn, Sawyer, ND; 12 grandchildren, Tory Crowe, Paige Brabandt, and Hunter Brabandt, Sheldon (Jennifer) Anhorn, Travis (Shari) Anhorn and Chelsea Anhorn, Nikki (Mark) Rau, Colton Lund, and Dylan Lund, Braleigh Anhorn, Casen Anhorn, and Davalyn Anhorn; 11 great-grandchildren, Logan, Sophia, Sebastian, Thane and Camaron Crowe, Trayton Wolff, Cohen Anhorn, Brynn, and Braiden Anhorn, and, McKlayne and baby girl or boy Rau; brother, Donald (Erma) Roesler, Bismarck; sister, Sharon (Keith) Churchill, Lawrence, KS; sister-in-law, Linda Roesler, Fargo, ND; family brothers, Daniel (Caroline) Mathis and Gary (Arlys) Mathis; family sisters, Evelyn (Ray) Kalamaha, June Bluhm, Joyce Michaelson, Darlene Rau and Donna (Ed) Archer; family sister-in-law, Avis Mathis, Minot and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Dennis was preceded in death by his birth parents, William and Lillian, daughter, Cassandra Anhorn, parents, Inga and Ed Mathis and family brothers, Dean Roesler and Jake Mathis.

Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 23, 2013, at the Sawyer High School Auditorium, Sawyer, ND.
Interment: Burial in the Spring at Saron Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Minot, ND.
Visitation will be held on Friday, February 22, 2013, from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.