Alma Thorson Sanders 1895-1993

By Mary A. Wilder

Just a few years shy of the Century mark, Alma Thorson Sanders, 98, St. Ansgar’s second oldest living high school graduate, now makes her home at the Good Samaritan Center. The eldest daughter and third of nine children of Ole Erick and Amelia (Moe) Thorson, Alma was born on February 5, 1895.

Alma’s grandfather, Erick, came to America in 1851 from Norway and temporarily located in a Norwegian settlement in Rock Prairie, near Beloit, Wisconsin. He and his father, Halvor Thorson, were members of the original Clausen Colony who came with Reverend Claus Clausen in 1853 to what was to become Mitchell County.

The Thorsons settled on a farm in Newburg Township, just two miles northwest of St. Ansgar, and were closely associated with the agricultural interests of Mitchell County.

Alma grew up on this farm and attended the Newburg country school for her elementary education. She was a member of the First Lutheran Church, where she was christened and confirmed.

Alma traveled to St. Ansgar to attend high school, from which she graduated in 1913. Upon graduating, she ventured to Ames, Iowa to attend Iowa State University, where she studied music. She remained in Ames one year, before moving to Northfield, Minnesota to pursue her music career at St. Olaf College. When she returned home she gave piano lesions to local children.

Alma wasn't one to remain idle for long. She moved to Mason City, Iowa where she found employment in a beauty salon. From there she went to Northwood, in Worth County, where she was a receptionist and office girl for Dr. D. W. Sanders. Dr. Sander’s son, Leslie, became Alma’s bridegroom on November 9, 1944.

Following the death of Dr. C. W. Sanders. Alma and Leslie went into a joint business enterprise in Northwood. Alma ran a beauty salon while Leslie tended the gift shop. The business was known as Sanders Gift and Beauty Shop.

Leslie died in June, 1960. Alma continued her business for many years before semi-retiring. In 1973 she moved back to Mason City to be near her friends. She resided at Shalom Towers for 18 years, until she could no longer keep up her apartment. In October, 1991 she moved to the Good Shepherd Nursing Home, Mason City, where she lived until May 12, 1993 when she returned to her home town of St. Ansgar.

Alma is in relatively good health, and appreciates the warm, sunny weather when she can get outdoors.

[St. Ansgar Enterprise, Thursday, June 24, 1993]