Norman Thorsen

Norman E. Thorsen, 93, of Waterville died Friday, April 6, 2018 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Funeral services were held Tuesday, April 10 at Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waterville with Pastor Bill Odermann officiating. Burial was at Waterville Lutheran Cemetery.

Norman Emil Thorsen was born September 24, 1924 in rural Waterville, the son of Emil and Agnes (Larson) Thorsen. He was baptized at Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church and attended Waterville Elementary School. Norman and his family moved to Denver, CO, where he was confirmed at Our Saviors Lutheran Church and he attended Lake Junior High. The family also lived in Sioux City, Chicago, IL and St. Paul, MN.

In 1938, the family moved back to Waterville. Norman graduated from Waterville High School in 1942. He attended NICC in Calmar, where he received a degree in bookkeeping and carpentry.

Norman farmed in Paint Creek Township, rural Waterville, where he raised cattle, chickens, hogs and crops. He was a member of Waterville Lutheran Church until it closed and then he joined Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church. He enjoyed carpentry work, woodworking, canning, especially jelly and jam, and was an avid reader.

Survivors include two brothers, Theodore (Cassie) Thorsen of Roselle, IL and Wilbur (Sandie) Thorsen of Grande Blane, MI; a brother-in-law, Howard (Sally) Olson of Kennesaw, GA; four nieces and two nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Arlene Olson; and a brother, Glenn Thorsen.

Honorary casketbearers were Orville Bratrud, Carlton Christianson and Bill Collins. Casketbearers were Sean Bresnahan, Rob Grangaard, Ian, Ken and Kent McCormick, and Mark VanderKolk.

Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.