“He worked with junior high students and that probably helped him deal with the junior high schoolers in the Legislature,” she said, laughing. “You have to have a good sense of humor, which John certainly does. He can laugh at himself as well as laughing at others.”

Quietly effective

Despite two decades in the House, Dorn leaves with no taint of any of the scandals that sometimes touch longtime elected officials — especially in Washington, D.C. Which made it easy for him, when approached by a reporter, to insist on making an opening statement before taking any questions.

“I’ve not yet been indicted,” he said. “And if it goes to trial, I’ll appeal the verdict.”

Dorn’s tendency toward self-deprecating humor is matched by a reluctance to tout his legislative accomplishments.

When asked to assess his career, Dorn didn’t bring up more than $100 million of state-funded construction that occurred at Minnesota State University and South Central College after he carried the legislation authorizing the funds. He didn’t mention his role in setting up the local option sales tax that built the Midwest Wireless Civic Center.

He didn’t point to the welfare reform legislation, regarded as one of the nation’s best, or to the numerous education reforms he sponsored — often on behalf of Mankato school officials.

“I always felt there were hundreds of people out there who could assist ably on any given issue, and I only had to play a part,” he said. “There were times when I felt things might have happened a little faster than they would have (without him).”

Waltman insists on giving Dorn a bit more credit.

Even in the final eight years of Dorn’s career, when Republicans controlled the House, he was able to move bills through the process because members of both parties liked him, Waltman said.

“I have such respect for the man,” he said. “Truly, his ethics and ability to work with people were just outstanding.”

He won’t be easy to replace, Waltman said.

“Not only did he have the energy, he had so much wisdom. And the wisdom is what we’re going to miss so much.”

Time to celebrate

People might also miss the wise guy. For instance, Dorn was asked to think back 20 years to the moment when he first decided to take the plunge into politics. Was he thinking this could be the start of a life-changing experience that could last for decades?