Rev. Donald Thorson

***SERVICE UPDATE***

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, June 26, 2021 at Christ Lutheran Church, Chippewa Falls with the Revs. Greg Stenzel and John Erickson, officiating.

Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. at the church.

On January 9, 2021 Don went to meet his Savior Jesus Christ whom he faithfully served and loved.

Donald Curtis Thorson was born on December 22, 1928 in Decorah, IA to Elmer Theodore Thorson and Sadie Julia Woldt Thorson. In February 1929 he was baptized in Decorah Lutheran Church. After living in Battle Creek, MI for a few years the family moved to Charles City, IA, and finally to Minneapolis, MN where Elmer worked in a defense plant for the WWII war effort.  At Concordia Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, Don married the love of his life, Marguerite Ruth Lemoing (always Margie to him), on October 3, 1952.

Don graduated from Augsburg College, Minneapolis and Luther Seminary, St. Paul. He has pastored parishes of rural Stavanger and Kvernes of New Rockford, ND; Our Savior’s of Milwaukee, WI; Central and Christ of Chippewa Falls, WI; Peace of St. Francis, KS; and Trinity of Boscobel, WI.

He was the first Assistant Presiding Pastor of the American Association of Lutheran Churches (AALC) and is listed as a Founding Father. Through the years of his ministry he also served in the Evangelical Lutheran Church, the American Lutheran Church, the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations and also holds membership in the Lutheran Ministerium and Synod. On February 17, 2020 he was honored by being made Pastor Emeritus by the AALC and Christ Lutheran Church.

During these years he served on many boards, both church and community. St. Joseph Hospital Advisory Board (20 Years), St. Joseph’s building fund drive, YMCA board of directors, Kiwanis, Chippewa Clergy Assoc. (sec/treas), Lecturer at Transitus House, Counselor for AA, Planning committee for L.E. Phillips Treatment Center and Lutheran Campus Ministry among others.

As a young boy Don would join his mother at the piano, her playing while he sang. His love of music grew and became a part of his life, enjoyment, and ministry. When gathered with the Thorson Clan at holidays, all sang while Don’s Uncle Ben played the piano. In every church, choral singing was always a high point.  If a church had no choir, Don would start one and be the director /singer.

Don was a great Green Bay Packer fan since the move to WI in 1959, and his family joined in cheering with him. He loved many sports and enjoyed playing them. Some favorites were baseball, softball, football, basketball, running, with golf being the absolute favorite. Don and Fr. Mike Shelbly worked together to start a citywide church softball league.

He is preceded in death by his father Elmer, mother Sadie, brother Orrin, sister Maryon and her husband John Westling, in-laws John and Ruth Lemoing, brother-in-law Bob Brace, and sister-in-law Carole Lemoing Zinter.

He is survived by his precious wife Marguerite; sister-in-law Marilyn Brace; children and grandchildren - Kathryn (Daniel) Brink, Thomas, Elisabeth (Kyle) Olson; Steven (Debra) Thorson, James (Kate), Mark, Alex, and Kristina; Jeanette (Rolf) Arnquist, Jacob, Gabrielle, and Nathanael; Gregory (Rhonda) Thorson, Andrew (Diana), and Adam; great-grandchildren - Shiloh, Remy, and Zelda Thorson; Jackson, Bryant, and Alanna Olson.

The center of Don’s life was his love of the Lord and His Word. His constant prayer was for the salvation of all of his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, June 26, 2021 at Christ Lutheran Church, Chippewa Falls with the Revs. Greg Stenzel and John Erickson, officiating.

Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. at the church.

Quote from Don at celebration of 50th anniversary since ordination.
“Finally, and most of all, I wish to thank the God of love who, I believe, showered such unmerited favor upon me as to call me into the ministry of the Gospel.”

Memorials are appreciated and may go to the Barnabas Christian Coffeehouse, 19 W. Spring Street, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729; or to Salesian Inspirational Books, (an organization that supports orphans and indigent people), 2 Lefevre Lane, New Rochelle, NY 10801-5710.

Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel & Cremation Services, Chippewa Falls is serving the family.  Please share your memories and condolences online at pedersonvolker.com.