Janis Esther Thoreson 1948-1961

THORESON, JENSEN

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 3/7/2012 at 21:15:25

Janis Thoreson to Receive Last of Anti-Rabies Shots
Janis Thoreson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Thoreson of Estherville, is to receive the last of her anti-rabies shots Monday and is reported to be getting along fine.

Miss Thoreson and her cousin, Linda Jensen of Lake City, S.D., were bitten by a skunk at Roy Lake State Park in South Dakota July 3.

Miss Thoreson’s hands were badly bitten, but are reported to be healing without complications. She expects to come home within a week. Her mother is staying at Lake City with her and plans to join Mr. Thoreson who is presently attending summer school at River Falls, Wis.

Janis expressed appreciation for all the cards and letters she has received. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, July 15, 1960)

Estherville girl dies after eight months in coma
Estherville – Janis Thoreson, 12, in a coma for eight months, died Friday [April 14, 1961] of complications from a rabid skunk bite last summer.

The girl and a cousin, Linda Jensen, were bitten last July 3 as they slept in a tent at Roy Lake State Park in South Dakota.

The girls and their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Thoreson of Estherville and Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Jensen of Renwick, were vacationing in the park.

Janis and Linda underwent a series of anti-rabies shots. Linda suffered no ill effects but Janis became ill July 19, the day after completing the 14-shot series. A week later she lapsed into a coma. (Mason City Globe-Gazette, Mason City, IA, April 14, 1961)