Owen Thorson

Owen (Ole) Arthur Thorson, age 85, of Spring Grove, MN passed away Saturday, June 23 at his home. Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 28 at 11 a.m. at Waterloo Ridge Lutheran Church in rural Dorchester with Pastor Elizabeth Hermeier officiating. Burial will be in Iowa River Cemetery, rural Dorchester. Friends may call Wednesday, June 27 from 4-7 p.m. at Roble Funeral Home in Spring Grove, MN and one hour prior to services at the church Thursday.

Owen was born February 25, 1933 in Spring Grove, MN to Arnold and Della (Tilleras) Thorson. He was a lifelong area resident and was a 1951 Spring Grove High School graduate.

October 23, 1953 Owen married Carol Harvey at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ in New Albin. Owen worked at Trane Company in La Crosse, WI for 25 years, at MCI and Ja-Son Construction companies. He was also a farmer, logger and stock car driver, and a Norwegian story teller.

Owen was a member of Waterloo Ridge Lutheran Church. He was also a volunteer fireman, president of the school board for many years and a member of the church council and the Masonic Lodge. Owen’s greatest joys were spending time with his family, especially playing “nip-a-nose” with his grandchildren, farming and fishing.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Carol, of Spring Grove, MN; his children, Jan (Bob) Klug of Caledonia, MN, Greg (Terri) Thorson of Decorah, Gary Thorson of New Albin and Joel (Janice) Thorson of Dorchester; his dog, Katie; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; his brother, Don Thorson of Maryland; and his sisters, Judy Klodnicki of Fort Collins, CO and Esther Roverud of Melbourne Beach, FL. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Steve and Jim; and several in-laws.