Bernard Thoreson 1923-2009

THORESON OLSON

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 12/9/2009 at 21:35:23

Sioux City Journal
14 Aug 2009

SOLDIER, Iowa - Bernard Thoreson, 86, of Soldier passed away Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009, at Elmwood Care Centre in Onawa, Iowa.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at Soldier Lutheran Church, with Pastor Meggan Manlove officiating. Private burial with a Masonic service will be in Soldier Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Rush Family Care Service in Onawa.

Bernard was born April 21, 1923, at Soldier, the son of John and Mathilda (Olson) Thoreson. He graduated from Soldier High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on Dec. 14, 1942, and served during World War II. Bernard participated in battles at Tarawa at Gilbert Islands, Saipan at Marianas Islands and Okinawa at Ryukyu Islands. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received at Saipan. Bernard served his country the duration of the war and honorably discharged. He returned home to Soldier.

Bernard married Elayne Olson on July 5, 1946, in Onawa. They made their home at Soldier where Bernard was employed with Monona County Roads maintenance until his retirement in 1989.

He was a member of Soldier Lutheran Church, Soldier Valley American Legion Post 462, Monona County VFW Post 2694 and Disabled American Veterans. He was a member of Vesper Lodge 223 AF and AM of Onawa, where he received recognition as a 50-year member in 2001.

Bernard was an avid ballroom dancer. During their marriage, he and Elayne enjoyed 63 years dancing through life.

Survivors include his wife, Elayne; a daughter, Tammy Thoreson of Ute, Iowa; a son and his wife, Bill and Connie Thoreson of Lincoln, Neb.; two granddaughters, Jodie and Josh Henderson of Charter Oak, Iowa, and Michelle Sigler of Mesa, Ariz.; two step-grandchildren, Tracie and Fred Engstrom of Ames, Iowa, and John Firestone of Lincoln; two great-grandchildren, Jace Henderson and Brittany Sigler; and a brother-in-law, Ronnie Graetz of San Diego.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Marla Johnson in 1973; a grandson, Steven Johnson; a grandson-in-law, Eric Sigler; nine brothers and sisters; and a sister-in-law, Sally Graetz of San Diego.