Anthony Kozojed

Anthony (Tony) Kozojed, 82, of Thief River Falls, MN passed away on Sunday, October 29, 2023 at Sanford Hospital, Fargo, ND.
Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by Father Rick Lambert will be held 1:30 PM on Friday, November 3, 2023 at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Thief River Falls, MN. Burial will be held at St. Bernard's Catholic Cemetery following the Mass.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 2, 2023 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Thief River Falls, MN. A vigil service followed by a rosary will begin at 7:00 pm. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service on Friday.
Anthony (Tony) Edward Kozojed was born December 16, 1940 in Thief River Falls, Minnesota the son of Anton and Florentine (Hance) Kozojed. Tony grew up in Thief River Falls attending St. Bernard's Catholic School and graduated from Lincoln High School. Tony graduated from the Minnesota State Patrol academy.
On August 16, 1958 he was united in marriage to Sharon Yvonne Saurdiff at St. Bernard's Catholic Church. The couple raised their 5 children in Thief River Falls, Warren, and Marshall Minnesota moving multiple times due to State Patrol assignments and promotions for Tony. Tony served as the State Patrol Chief in St. Paul, MN from 1991 – 1993 prior to retiring from the Minnesota State Patrol in 1995 after 28 years of service.
Tony & Sharon were members of their local church. Tony was an usher and enjoyed working at the yearly Lenten fish fry. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Tony was a fire arms safety instructor for 40 + years. He was an avid gun enthusiast and participated in high power competitive long range target matches over the years. Tony enjoyed reloading bullets, repairing engines and gardening. Tony and Sharon were participants in the annual Marshall County Fair parade, sporting his father's 1948 Chevy deluxe. After retirement, Tony was a regular at the local café and "coffee-ed" with his friends. When he was able, Tony made a weekly trip for Sunday meals with extended family. Tony looked forward to deer hunting each fall with his sons, son-in-law and grandsons. Tony had a talent for remembering details and sharing events. He was rejuvenated whenever he was able to tell a story to a willing listener.
Tony is survived by children Tom (Suzan) Kozojed, Kathy (Dave) Blish, Teresa (Rod) Dahlstrom, Karen (Chuck) Enright and Tony (Caroline) Kozojed Jr.; grandchildren: Becky (Richard) Dafoe, Nikki (Tom) Kieffer, Laura Dahlstrom, Sally (Marshall) Bass, Mary Kozojed, Jamie (Matt) Dohnalek, Jacob Enright, Garret Enright, Nick (Katie) Blish, George (Taylor) Blish, Anton and Claire Kozojed; great grandchildren: Jonah, Elijah, Isaac, Olivia, Jude and Elliott Dafoe, Ingrid, Soren and Lena Kieffer, Julie and Kimberly Aguilera, Scarletta, Francesca, Isabella and Remington Enright, Henry and Gwyneth Dohnalek, Judson and Elle Blish and Walker Blish, and Sharon Bass.
Tony is preceded in death by his parents, a sister Emily and his wife of 64 years Sharon.