Oscar C. Haddorff, 86, formerly of Austin, Minnesota, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016, at Three Links Care Center in Northfield, Minnesota. He had been diagnosed three weeks prior with an aggressive, malignant brain tumor.

Oscar was born May 19, 1930, in Wagner, South Dakota to Oscar and Lora (Wilcox) Haddorff. He graduated from Mound High School in 1948, and from Hamline University in 1952, where he was a member of the 1951 National Championship Basketball team.

Oscar married Marian Scharmann on Aug. 19, 1952, at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Mound, Minnesota. He taught for two years in St. Charles, Minnesota. From 1954 to 1956, he served as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces in Okinawa. After his military service, Oscar and Marian moved to Austin where he began teaching and served as the assistant basketball coach under Ove Berven. In 1964, he became the head basketball coach, a position he held until 1978. He continued teaching, while remaining actively involved in Austin High School and Riverland Community College athletics. Oscar retired in 1991.

He was a faithful, productive member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and volunteered his time to numerous community activities, including Meals on Wheels and 55 Alive Drivers’ Training. He enjoyed golfing, playing cards with his many friends and spending time with family.

He was inducted into three Halls of Fame: Minnesota Boys’ Basketball Coaches, Austin High School and Riverland Community College.

Oscar and Marian have lived the past seven years in Lakeville, Minnesota, to be closer to their kids.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Lora Haddorff.

Oscar is survived by his wife, Marian Haddorff, Lakeville, Minnesota; children, Rob Haddorff, West, St. Paul, Minnesota, Rick Haddorff and Denny Bell, St. Paul, Minnesota, Nancy Haddorff and Jody Gerst, Lakeville, Minnesota, and Mark and Rhonda Haddorff, Lakeville, Minnesota; grandchildren, John (Amy) Penshorn, Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Katie (Rick) Healy, North St. Paul, Minnesota; great grandchildren, Luke, Hunter, Heath, David, Luke and Jake; sister and brother-in-law, JoAnn and Howie Strey, Apple Valley, Minnesota; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jack and Jeanine Haddorff, Hopkins, Minnesota and Bob and Ginger Haddorff, Eden Prairie, Minnesota; nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 4th at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church with the Reverend Karen Behling officiating. Interment will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Visitation will be at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 3, and at the church on Friday morning for one hour before the service.

Memorials may be designated to DARTS, a non-profit organization serving seniors of Dakota County, 1645 Marthaler Lane, West St. Paul, Minnesota 55118 or online at www.dartsconnects.org.