Donald Leroy Thorn

Donald LeRoy Thorn was born in Split Rock Township, SD on September 11, 1924 to Otto and Laura (Jacobson) Thorn. Donald lived in South Dakota in his childhood and later, his family moved to rural St. Peter, MN where he attended school until enlisting in the United States Navy. Donald served his country from Jan. 1942 - May 1946 on board the U.S.S. Lunga Point-CUE94. Upon his honorable discharge from service, Donald completed his high school education. Following his graduation, he attended Mankato Commercial College, studying accounting. Don met his wife in Mankato, MN and on September 13, 1947, he was united in marriage to Frances "Chris" Christensen. The following year, the couple moved to Madelia, where he opened a business with friends, Hank and Patty Doley, and for the next 8 years, Donald owned and operated the Thorn & Doley Service - Gas & Drive-in. He went on to work as a District Sales Rep for MoorMan's Feed Co., owned and operated the Thorn Oil Co. and was self-employed for the remainder of his career until he retired in 1973. After retirement, Donald worked in maintenance and gardening for the Luther Memorial Home in Madelia from 1999-2003. Donald was a loyal husband to his wife Frances "Chris" until her passing on November 11, 1993 and a loving father to their four children: Kay, Zandra, Pamela, and Roger. Donald was an active member of the Faith Lutheran Church, serving as a deacon, trustee and Sunday school teacher. He was a lifetime member of the VFW Post #3842 and American Legion Post #19. In his free time, he enjoyed traveling, golfing, fishing, and spending time with friends and especially family. Donald is survived by his children, Kay (Dale) Rouse, Zandra Thorn, Pamela (Jody) Halvorson, and Roger Thorn; siblings, Gladys Spurgion, Deloris (Lou) Richardson; grandchildren, Scott (Kathy) Rouse, Wendy (Troy) Walters, Tina (Aaron) Wirtz, Heather (Nick) Merhing, Christopher (JoAnn) Rouse, Jennifer Halvorson; great-granchildren, Kali, Jessie, Bodi, Sydney, Brody, Cole, Kaitlyn, Gretchen, Max, Alex, Cayden, and great-great-grandchild, Linnie. He was preceded in death by his wife Frances "Chris"; parents; brothers, Virgil (Jeanette) and Dennis (Lorraine) Thorn; brothers-in-law, Marion Spurgion, Richard Annexstad, and infant brother, Glen Edwin Thorn. Visitation 9:30 am - 11:00 am Monday, July 6, 2015 Faith Lutheran Church, Madelia 306 Abbott Ave. Madelia, Minnesota, United States 56062 Funeral Service 11:00 am Monday, July 6, 2015 Faith Lutheran Church, Madelia 306 Abbott Ave. Madelia, Minnesota, United States 56062 Interment Faith Lutheran Cemetery-Madelia West, Co. Hwy 3 Madelia, Minnesota, United States 56062 Clergy Pastor Salim Kaderbhai Fellowship A luncheon will take place at the church social hall immediately following interment. Military Honors Donald will receive full Military Honors by the Madelia Area Veterans Honor Guard.