Irvin Glenn ‘Irv' Thorson was born June 22, 1926 to Ira and Gertrude Teig Thorson. He died Jan. 22, 2013 and is buried in Salem Memorial Cemetery, Lake Mills, IA.
Irv served in World War II as a Marine on the USS Iowa. He was a graduate of Randall High School.
His Obituary:
Irvin G. “Irv” Thorson, age 86, of Leland, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, January 22, 2013, at Mercy Medical Center North Iowa in Mason City, Iowa.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 PM on Friday, January 25, 2013, at Salem Lutheran Church in Lake Mills, with Pastor David E. Jordon officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the Otto/Chose Post #235 of Lake Mills, the Leland VFW #6161, and the North Iowa Area Marine Corp League.
Cremation will follow the service with inurnment at Salem Memorial Cemetery, rural Lake Mills, at a later date.
Visitation for Irv will be on Thursday, January 24, 2013, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at Mittelstadt Funeral Home, 902 East Main Street in Lake Mills, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Friday.
Irvin Glenn Thorson was born June 22, 1926 in Randall, Iowa to Ira and Gertrude Thorson. He graduated from Randall High School.
He was united in marriage to Gwendolyn Ruth Collis on March 26, 1955.
Irv farmed and raised hogs his whole life, first with his father, then near Jewell and Stanhope. In 1967, he and Gwen purchased a farm near Leland, where he spent the remainder of his days. In his later years, he expanded from crops to flowers, picking up where Gwen left off with his participation in the Garden Club, and making sure Gwen’s gardens were well tended.
He served in World War II as a Marine on the USS Iowa. He reacquainted himself with several old buddies, making numerous trips to USS Iowa Reunions. His last reunion in Los Angeles, California led to a television appearance that made us all proud. Through the VFW, he continued to serve not only his country and fellow man, but also pancakes. He made the best! He made serving on the color guard for parades and funerals a priority. It is no surprise this was his final act of service.
He was very active in his church and community, serving regularly as usher and on various committees. He cared deeply for his prayer partners.
His gentle nature earned him many friends. He loved to golf, even got a hole-in-one, played cards, took up bowling, and his dance card was full. He was known for the twinkle in his eye as he teased those he loved, and the tear when he was touched. He will be greatly missed for his quiet strength and big heart by all who knew him.
He is survived by his 5 children: Sherri Kroeger, Dundee, IL; Tim (Ronda) Lawson Mansfield, TX; Trudie (Lyle) Greiner Des Moines; Mitch (Laura) Thorson Leland; and Gretta Thorson, Minneapolis, MN; 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by one brother and two sisters: James Thorson, Jewell, IA; Beverly Petzenhauser, Auburn, IA and Joyce Hanson, Jewell, IA, brothers- and sisters-in-law; nieces and nephews, friends, and other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Gwendolyn, one sister Betty Swanson, and his parents.
Mittelstadt Funeral Home, Lake Mills, IA
Source: Winnebago County Iowa GenWeb Obituaries
