OBITUARY: Florence E. Thorson & Walter Leon Thorson, Mitchell County, Iowa
               1900-1996            1897-1986   


[Edited, from: Mason City Globe Gazette, Mason City, Iowa, February 27, 1996]




                         Florence E. Thorson and
                            Walter Leon Thorson

ST. ANSGAR--Florence E. Valentine, 95, daughter of Richard Louis and
Lucy Marion Valentine, was born May 8, 1900, in Worth County, Iowa,
near Northwood, and passed away Monday (Feb. 19, 1996) from natural
causes at the Wellington Regional Medical Center, Wellington, Florida.

The Valentine family moved to St. Ansgar in 1905.  Florence was
one of three children.

She went to public school and later attended college in Cedar Rapids,
where she became a teacher. At the age of 24, she was admitted to the
Daughters of the American Revolution.

She married Walter Leon Thorson, of St. Ansgar, on June 20, 1928,
where they lived until they moved to North Palm Beach, Florida, in 1970.

They went together to Sutton Place Convalescent Center, Lake Worth,
Florida, in 1984, where they resided until their deaths.

Florence was visited in December by her family, at which time
she told them that ``We would all meet again in a better place''
and then went on to say that ``The next time you come, I will
be sleeping...all day...and all night...and all day...and all
night.....'' and as her voice trailed off, the family knew she
was saying good-bye.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Wayne and Joanne;
five grandchildren, Blake, Brett, Deborah, Thea and Sheri; and
five great-grandchildren.

Florence was preceded in death by her sister Doris (Morse),
and brother, Richard; her husband, Walter Leon; and son, Robert.

Walter Leon Thorson, son of Ole E. and Amelia (Moe) Thorson;
beloved husband of Florence; and father of two sons, Wayne and
Bob; was born Jan. 23, 1897, in Newburg Township, Mitchell County,
on a farm northwest of St. Ansgar.

He died Oct. 5, 1986, at Sutton Place Convalescent Center.

Leon was one of nine children, brothers, Annis, Roy, Clifford,
Donald and Hubert; and three sisters, Alma (Saunders), Mildred
(Tesch) and Rose (Fries).

Leon served in World War I, was a member of the American Legion
Post in St. Ansgar, and a Mason for many years, part of the lodge
in Osage.

He studied agricultural farming at the University of Minnesota,
becoming a very successful grower of onions, potatoes, corn and
beans in St. Ansgar.

In 1970, he sold his farms and moved to Florida.

Both enjoyed life to its fullest, with many friends wherever
they went. Their church and community were major parts of their
lives.

They loved square dancing, traveling frequently to conventions,
were avid golfers, and Leon took up deep sea fishing in Florida,
where Florence made sweaters for the grandchildren.

Their photos and journals speak of trips to Hawaii, Europe
and the Bahamas as well as many places in the United States.

A memorial service for Florence and Leon will be held at 10:30
a.m. Wednesday (Feb. 28, 1996) at First Lutheran Church, St.
Ansgar, with the Rev. Robert Porisch officiating.

Friends are invited to remember their lives with the family
following the service.

Graveside farewells and burial of their cremation remains will
be at the First Lutheran Cemetery in St. Ansgar.

They are sadly missed by those they left behind, but peace is felt
in knowing they are in a "better place" and free of their earthly
encumbrances.

Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, St. Ansgar, is in charge of arrangements.



    Copyright 2004, Kermit Kittleson (for IaGenWeb)