Grace E Thorson

Grace Eva Thorson, 90, of New London (formerly of Kerkhoven), died Friday, February 19, at Bethesda Grand in Willmar. Her memorial Mass will be at 1:00 pm, Wednesday, March 31, at Church of St Mary in Willmar, with a visitation one hour prior to her service.  Burial will be at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Murdock. Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar. In lieu of sending flowers, memorial gifts can be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association or American Cancer Society. You can livestream Grace's funeral service at https://www.ourlivingwater.org/gracethorson.html   www.hafh.org 

Grace Eva Thorson was born July 29, 1930, to George and Mary (MacAndress) Whalen in Red Lake Falls. She attended school in Red Lake Falls, graduating in 1948. Grace continued her education in Teachers Training in Thief River Falls and started working at a country school near Kerkhoven in 1949. In 1951, Grace was united in marriage to Walter G. Thorson at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls. The relationship started due to Walt driving school bus while Grace taught country school. Grace and Walt continued to live in Kerkhoven until moving to Lake Andrew, near New London, in 1983. Grace would help substitute teach at Kerkhoven Schools and later in life started working at Simmons Produce and Willmar Poultry Company.  In Grace’s leisure time, she enjoyed reading books, knitting and traveling. She has traveled all over the United States, including Alaska, and to Italy and Ireland. Grace also enjoyed being a member of the Church of St. Mary, American Legion Auxiliary, and Altar and Rosary Society. She was a loving wife, mom, grandma, and friend.

Grace is survived by her children: Mary (Tom) Diederich, Lisa (Paul) Mohs, Kari (Tom) Struthers, and Paul (Kelly) Thorson; daughters-in-laws, Linda Thorson and Shirley Thorson; 16 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Kitty Gagnon, and sisters-in-laws Ione Whalen and Doralyn Whalen.

Grace was preceded in death by her parents, four sisters, three brothers, her husband, and sons Daniel Thorson and John Thorson.

Grace’s family would like to thank Bethesda Grand and St. Croix Hospice for their loving care of Grace.

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