Maxine M. Thorstenson 1925-2009
LARSEN, LEAS, THORSTENSON, KIESAU, MURPHY, MOWAT, GJELFE
Posted By: Mary Durr (email)
Date: 11/5/2009 at 10:50:58
Maxine M. Thorstenson, 84, of Waukon died Saturday, October 3, 2009 at her home in Waukon, with her family at her side after a 15-month courageous battle with cancer. Funeral services were held Friday, October 9 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon, with Rev. Lynn G. Groe officiating. Burial was in Oakland Cemetery, Waukon.
Maxine M. Thorstenson was born August 1, 1925, the daughter of Arthur Floyd and H. Louise (Larsen) Leas on their farm in Linton Township, rural Allamakee County. She was baptized at Rossville Presbyterian Church September 20, 1925 and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon August 11, 1946.
Maxine graduated from Normal Training at Waukon High School in 1942. She worked as a hired girl to area families and taught country school at Irish Ridge, Egan and Sixteen schools for several years.
April 14, 1944 she married Floyd Thorstenson at St. John’s Lutheran Church parsonage and they farmed together for over 30 years raising dairy cattle, hogs and chickens. They retired from farming in 1976 and spent the winter months in Arizona. Maxine continued to winter in Arizona after Floyd’s death in 1997, until 2004.
Maxine and Floyd spent their retirement years traveling throughout the United States seeing 47 of the 50 States including trips to both Hawaii and Alaska. They also made two trips to Europe, where they enjoyed touring the Scandinavian countries and five countries in Europe. Maxine and Floyd loved dancing and followed the Jerry Gilbertson band and Toetappers for many years. She enjoyed playing cards and was an active member of the Golden Girls and the Waterville area Senior Citizens. She also enjoyed her Tuesday morning Arizona breakfasts. Maxine was a long-time member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, where she was active in circle Bible study.
Survivors include her children, Sharon Kiesau of Lansing, Beverly Thorstenson of Mesa, AZ, Kathryn (Randy) Murphy of Tawas City, MI, and Kenneth (Karla) Thorstenson of Mesa, AZ; eight grandchildren, Eric Kiesau, Jason Roe, Kari Neuenkirk, Nicole Pickles, Tami Kiesau, Kelly Guoan, Ben Murphy and Kaylee Thorstenson; 10 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Allen Leas of Monona and Arvid (Hedy) Leas of Waterville; a sister, Barbara (Kirk) Mowat of Altoona; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Floyd; a sister, Delores LaRene Gjefle; a brother, Eldon Leas; infant twin sisters; a son-in-law, Neil Kiesau; two sisters-in-law, Delores Leas and Ann Leas; and a brother-in-law, Theodore Gjefle.
Honorary casketbearers were her grandchildren. Casketbearers were Dean and Virgil Thorstenson, Ron Leas, Carlyle Kolsrud, David Karges, Phil Nordquist and Chris Wonderlich.
Waukon, Iowa newspaper, THE STANDARD, October 14, 2009.
Contributor is not related and has no further information.
Allamakee Obituaries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen