Donald K. Thorson
1928 - 2015
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Wendy Jensen posted a condolence
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
So Sorry for your loss. I will always remember my Uncle Don's gentle smile and kind words. He shall be missed.
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Gale Schreiber posted a condolence
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Our prayers are with the entire family during this loss. It will be hard for Vera not having him here. Family is important during this time.
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Glen & Mary Beth Jensen posted a condolence
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
We've enjoyed Don so much over these many 30 some years since he married sister, Vera Jensen. When they married, went camping, had a logging business, hit the casinos, danced with the family, tipped a few to your good health, played endless rounds of cards and more ! All was so much fun and with such enthusiasm for the zest of life ! We hold so many fine memories of Don .. and wife, Vera ... and will always remember his warm smile & giving heart. Rest in Peace, Don.
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Wayne Thorson posted a condolence
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
My father from 50 down-A son’s view:
His belief in the American spirit and zeal for life perpetuated his ability to engage in self-employed endeavors. There was not an industry in existence that my father would not engage in, from running gravel dump trucks up and down the highway for road projects, laying bricks and mortar for home fireplaces, to sustaining his contractor logging business with his sons. Never faltering in his work ethic or constitution, my father would often push himself beyond the point of safety or self-preservation, always putting his work and family before his own health. A strong work ethic cannot describe the decades that my father spent working 16-hour days even while having to fend off physical ailments that would have put men of lesser fortitude on the shelf.
Yet while his passion for business and desire to achieve personal success were fierce, his nature towards his fellow man could not have been gentler.
A self-reverential comic, he believed that to be comfortable with others you had to be comfortable with yourself, and as a result most of his jokes were made about himself. This style of breaking the ice made him the easiest person to be around and shoot the breeze with-which was always his aim. Guided by an internal belief of treating others the way that you would like to be treated, Donald Thorson always greeted family, friends, and strangers alike with a soft-spoken word and a handshake. Character, compassion, and admiration of his fellow man are what defined my father as he treated everyone in his life with equal respect. This definition of him translated onto all facets of life, whether it was on a personal level or professional one.
Yet, despite his incredible work ethic and adulation for people, my father sure did know how to have fun. In the face of enormous professional responsibilities, he never forgot to enjoy life outside of work. Growing up, he would race stock-cars to fuel his competitive side, most of his earlier vehicles would have open gas tanks and lines in the back adding risk to an already dangerous endeavor. During his logging days with his sons, my father would religiously keep his radios tuned into the Badger game to make sure he caught the action and also to hear Paul Harvey fill the world into the latest news. In the summer months he would never fail to find the nearest lake and spend hours with us between work shifts on the beach or in the water-some of my fondest memories are sailing lessons on Katherine Lake with him. Very few knew that my father was a skier, but he was the catalyst for many of his kids learning how to downhill ski, whether it was at the Perkinstown ski-park or Bruce Mountain-if there was a hill with snow on it, you can be sure that my dad would take us there.
In an age and era where most are recognized for the accolades on their wall or litany of letters and abbreviations before their name, my father may not measure up to others when compared from that narrow viewpoint. However, you cannot measure a man from these things alone, and the heartbreaking part about life is that not enough people know the aspects about their fellow man that are the most important-the things cannot be seen on the outside or on a business card.
That was my father, a book whose covers might not have been leather bound, but whose pages tell a story that is worth reading over and over because it’s a better read than anything else on the shelf. It’s one that I reference daily as a guide to life. All of the accolades in life cannot truly represent a person’s constitution and character; their unending ability to persevere in the face of hardship and to perpetuate a loving and positive attitude towards your family and friends during it-that’s what my father had: a man of true quality.
I was so fortunate to have him as an example in my life. If a parent’s role is to prepare their child for their own future ahead, my father could not have laid a better groundwork for me.
In work, he was tough, dedicated, and unrelenting.
In the other aspects of life, he was gentle, caring, and fun-always striving to make everyone smile even if it was at the cost of his own detriment.
While these words are an attempt to represent a wonderful man who lives now in our hearts and memories, they are merely a small thank you to my father, Donald Thorson; a miniscule epitaph in dedication to a man who has given me so much to live by and whose example is one we can all learn from.
Thank you Dad, for being my best friend, my confident, and my teacher-wherever you are, I hope that you are enjoying the peace that you helped us achieve in life and that you certainly earned yourself.
Your loving son,
Wayne
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Jacqueline Suthard posted a condolence
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
I'm your second child out of twelve you say, I was to be a son but you got a girl anyway. but it's okay that others and you call me "Jack" instead...I guess it's hard to remember twelve names when you put us to bed. Dad now that I'm older and have a child, Robert, a son, I realize a parent's job to raise a child is never done. You taught us how to milk a cow, plant a garden and saw wood, how to respect your elders and at all times be well mannered and good. I remember how we peeled pulp after school in May til dark, how tricky it was removing from trees the sticky bark, I recall going to N.J. with a semi-truck of cattle and one died and when I came back home to Wisconsin I had ringworm I cried. Sometimes I put too much water in the concrete mix for you, but it was hard to mix dad and get it right like you would do I remember during deer season you would wear bright orange and red, and because of your great hunting skills your kids were fed. When people would ask why so many kids Don you had you said it's cheaper by the dozen and at least I'm my kid's dad. I'm thankful for four brothers and seven sisters made of love and your commitment to being a father is what I'm speaking of. Us kids gave you many headaches and tears, but if tears were laughter and night day, and if all our prayers were answered I think we would hear God say, for no matter what people say about us in life or what we do, time teaches us as our parents do to believe only what is true, even though time and distance keeps us on many holidays and special days you should know by now Dad your are always in my thoughts and heart. Everything in time changes except what we all choose to recall but you being my hero and father are my favorite memories of all! written by Jacqueline Constance Thorson May 14, 2003
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Karolyn Campo posted a condolence
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
I am so sorry for your loss. May God Bless and keep you always safe ih His care
a
al choroszy posted a condolence
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
sorry for your loss rae-ann and scott. prayers to you and your family. god bless
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linda thorsonbruner posted a condolence
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
My dearest greatest man I ever loved,
You were the best father a girl could ever be blessed with. Thank you daddy,for a lifetime of the most fondest and memorable days of my life with you. I love you daddy.Iwill always miss you.see you on the flipside
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Lynn Consolver-Barttelt posted a condolence
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Sorry for your loss. May you know he lived a long life. Prayers to all family members.
M
Marla Peterson posted a condolence
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Good thoughts and prayers for Don and his family.
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Scott Wichlacz posted a condolence
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
We have spent countless visits with Don & Vera over the years Rae Ann & I have been together ... about 20 plus .. so many happy memories ... playing cards, camping, and trips .. seems that it was once a week that we seen them, Birthdays, Anniversaries, Weddings, Graduations and just "Good Times". I am remembering Don enjoyed telling some great stories and the events of his life. He always was a good person thru good times and bad. I will miss him . "Good journeys Don" Scott
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Raeann Wichlacz posted a condolence
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
We done countless things together over the years, from traveling to Branson Missouri to the Hodag to hear the great country music; from hunting on Fawn Hill to hunting in our backyard and always getting the venison no matter where the hunt was; from playing cards at the Olde Saloon to around your or my table and you playing a sharp game right up to the last hand; from camping at Hatfield to our campsite in our backyard; from the trips to Iowa to the weekends that you and Mom stayed with us in our home; I will cherish those memories and I will miss you. RaeAnn
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ROBBIE SUTHARD posted a condolence
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Dear Grandpa Donald it was nice to see you and visit with you the last couple of years of your life. You were well loved by all of your children,grandchildren,and your friends.Donald had a great work ethic and laid back personality and was quick with a joke and also enjoyed the outdoors. RIP DONALD K THORSON LOVE ROBBIE
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In Loving Memory
Donald Thorson
1928 - 2015
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