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Kermit Ernest Thoreson, 91, died Monday,
February 19, 2018, at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids, MN.
Kermit was born on February 4, 1927, in Falun,
Wisconsin, the son of Timmy and Evelyn Thoreson. He attended school in
Danbury, WI through 9th grade; and graduated from Superior East High School
in 1945. He proudly served in the U.S. Army. He was sent to Germany after
the war and became part of the 508th Parachute Infantry Division, 82nd
Airborne from April to September 1946. On November 28, 1948, he married
Gloria Steele. Gloria died in May of 1979. Kermit subsequently married
Lenora Christine Thomas on January 18, 1981.
Kermit began as a telegrapher on the Northern
Pacific Railroad. In 1952, he was promoted to Train Dispatcher. In 1970,
the railroad became Burlington Northern Railroad. He worked until 1988.
Kermit was involved in many community
activities throughout his lifetime. He served as a clerk for the Carlton
Village Council, volunteer fireman, trustee of the Carlton Presbyterian
Church, committee member of the Carlton Boy Scouts, chairman of the
playground committee, commander of the Carlton VFW, member of the Dallas
Masonic Lodge, chairman and vice general |
chairman of the Dispatchers Union “ATDA”,
member of the Burlington Northern Vets Association, and as a member of the
National Association of Retired & Veteran Railway Employees. He loved
fishing, polka music, playing cards, coaching youth baseball, was team
manager for the youth hockey teams, and spending time in Mesa, AZ.
Kermit will be missed by his wife, Lenora;
sons, John of St. Paul, William of Andover; daughters, Chris (Greg) of
Carlton, Gloriann of Forest Lake; 11 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren;
brother, Don (Phyllis) Thoreson of Anoka; sister, Beverly A. Lundgren of
Superior; many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his
wife, Gloria; sisters, Dagmar Linde, Eleanor Heytens, Eileen McClintock;
brothers, Elwood (Diana) Thoreson, and Ricky Thoreson.
Visitation for friends and family will be
from 12:00 until a 1:00 p.m. memorial service Monday, February 26, 2018 at
JM Paine Presbyterian Church in Carlton. Burial will be in Hillside
Cemetery in Carlton in May. Memorials may be made to J.M. Paine
Presbyterian Church or the Carlton VFW. Arrangements are by Souder-Handevidt
funeral & Cremation Services, Cloquet, Minnesota |
