John D Thorson

John D. Thorson, 65, of Kerkhoven, passed away after a short battle with lung cancer on Tuesday, February 16th at his home. His public visitation will be from 2-4:00 pm, Sunday, February 21st at Church of St. Mary in Willmar. A private funeral will be on Monday at the church. Burial will be at a later date in Hillside Cemetery in Kerkhoven. Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar. wwww.hafh.org

John David Thorson was born February 26, 1955, to Walter and Grace (Whalen) Thorson in Benson. He grew up in Kerkhoven where he lived all of his life. John attended Kerkhoven High School where he graduated on May 31, 1973. He played baseball for the Norway Lake Lakers and enjoyed going to his family’s cabin on Lake Andrew. After high school he started working for Swanson’s Hardware where he continued to work for two years. He then started working at Grossman’s Plumbing, eventually Grossman-Trump, where he continued to work for 48 years! On May 21, 1977, John was united in marriage to Linda Danielson at Hope Lutheran Church in Sunburg. Following their marriage, they lived in Kerkhoven where they built their house. John enjoyed plumbing and helping his customers who were in need. John would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need, regardless of the time of day. John also enjoyed driving his truck around town, golfing and helping mow at the Kerkhoven Golf Course, pheasant hunting, and watching the Vikings play at Stan Wagner’s house. He was a loving husband, dad and grandpa.

John is survived by his wife, Linda; children: Sarah (Riley) Gustafson of Willmar, and Christopher (Kendra) Thorson of Murdock; grandchildren: Sydney Gustafson and Olivia and Amelia Thorson; mother, Grace Thorson; siblings: Mary Beth (Tom) Diederich, Lisa (Paul) Mohs, Kari (Tom) Struthes, Paul (Kelly) Thorson; and sister-in-law, Shirley Thorson.

He was preceded in death by his father, Walter, and brother, Daniel Thorson.      

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