Elayne Delores Thoreson 1924- 2009

THORESON ANDERSEN OLSON

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 1/7/2010 at 23:17:52

Sioux City Journal
28 December 2009

SOLDIER, Iowa -- Elayne Thoreson, 85, of Soldier passed away Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009, at her residence.

Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Soldier Lutheran Church at Soldier, with Pastor Mike Schmidt officiating. A private burial will be at a later date in Soldier Lutheran Cemetery. There will be no visitation. Arrangements are under the direction of Rush Family Care Service at Onawa, Iowa.

Elayne Dolores was born April 27, 1924, at Moorhead, Iowa (Old Town), the daughter of Arthur and Emma (Andersen) Olson. She grew up on a farm near Soldier and attended Soldier High School. She graduated in 1941, and worked as a secretary for a law firm in Onawa.

It was then that she began writing pen pal letters to her future husband of 63 years, Bernard Thoreson, who was enlisted in the U.S. Marines and fighting battles overseas in World War II. When he was discharged in 1946, he returned home to Soldier, and they were united in marriage on July 5, 1946, in Onawa. They made their first home in Athens, Ga., where Elayne worked as a secretary for the dean of the University of Georgia.

In 1947, they returned home to start their family. While Bernard was employed by the Monona County Roads, Elayne stayed home to raise their three beautiful children. Elayne was a member of Soldier Lutheran Church and was also a Sunday and Bible school teacher. She enjoyed cooking for her family and enjoyed all the family gatherings at their home. She and her husband, Bernard cherished many years of ballroom dancing together. Bernard passed away Aug. 12, 2009, just shortly after celebrating their 63rd wedding anniversary together. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Survivors include 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 stepgrandchildren, 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, Calif.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard; a daughter, Marla Johnson; a grandson, Steven Johnson; a grandson-in-law, Eric Sigler; a sister, Sally Graetz; and her parents.