John F. Dougherty, age 78, of Annandale died Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at his home.

Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 18, 2012 at Zion Lutheran Church, Annandale with Rev. Thomas Queck officiating.  Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery, Assembly Area 5, in Minneapolis.  Friends may call from 5-7 p.m. Friday and one hour prior to the service on Saturday, both at Zion Lutheran Church, Annandale.  A prayer service will be held 6:45 p.m. on Friday at the church.

John Francis Dougherty was born to Matilda (Galles) and Clement Dougherty of Graceville, MN on November 12, 1933. He attended school in Oakes, N.D.   John joined the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War from 1951 to 1953.  On July 23, 1955, John and Dolores Fischer were married in a private ceremony in Webster, S.D.  During their 56 years of marriage, they were blessed with 4 children; Colleen (Dougherty) Forar, James, Michael and Patrick Dougherty.

John worked as a lineman for Wayne County Public Power based in Osmond, Nebraska.  The family lived in Osmond for 9 years and relocated to Annandale, Minnesota in 1971. John was employed by Wright Hennepin Electric in Maple Lake, MN until his retirement in 1985.  He was a lifetime member of the Korean War Veterans Association and the Maple Lake VFW Post 7664.

John enjoyed his retirement, spending winters in Arizona, his grandchildren and great grandchildren and their activities, family gatherings and taking his beloved dog Coco for walks with his handicapped cart.

John is survived by his wife Dolores; four children & their spouses Colleen Forar of Prior Lake, Jim & Karen of Bemidji, Michael & Coreen of Annandale and Patrick & Amy of Clarksville, TN; sisters & their spouses Peggy & John Gagliardi of Collegeville, Kathleen & Dempsey Worner of Blacksurg, VA and Barbara Dougherty of Bandon, OR; twelve grandchildren Sarah & Enrique Velazquez, Katie Salomonsen, Christian Forar, Jenny, Melissa, Bryan, Meghan, Devin, Dillon & Lauren, Danny, Jacob and Evelyn Dougherty; three great grandchildren Rosie, Lilly and Mason Velazquez.  He is preceded in death by his parents Clement & Matilda; and granddaughter Catherine Dougherty.

Urn Bearers will be John's 12 grandchildren and the partners of the 2 married grandchildren.  Julie Starkey and Jim Dougherty will provide the music for the service.  Arrangements are entrusted with Dingmann Funeral Care, Annandale.

 Service Information