Thora O. Anderson

Thora O. Anderson, 98, of Fergus Falls, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, January 12, 2014 at PioneerCare in Fergus Falls.

Thora was born November 21, 1915, the fifth of seven children, to Ole and Theoline Torvick in New England, North Dakota. At an early age, the family moved back to Moose Lake, Minnesota to operate a small farm on Little Moose Lake. Although farming was difficult and often meager, Thora enjoyed life there with her family. After high school, she attended Duluth State Teachers College and Augsburg College in Minneapolis. There Thora met and married the Rev. Waldemar Anderson of Ashby, Minnesota. Together, they served parishes in Winger, Minnesota, Tacoma, Washington, Pembina, North Dakota, Portland, North Dakota, Eagle Bend, Minnesota, and Wyndmere, North Dakota.

While at Portland, Thora started working part time in the school offices, renewed her teaching certificate at Mayville State Teachers College and started a career of teaching English and remedial studies.

The couple retired to Fergus Falls, Minnesota in 1980 where Thora continued her favorite past-times of quilting, handiwork, reading and visiting with friends and neighbors. She also thoroughly enjoyed working at the Lake Region Hospital gift shop where she volunteered her time for twenty-three years. Thora has made her home at Pioneer Point and Cottages for the last six years.

Thora had a long and fulfilling life serving her family, church and community. While being a devoted and loving mom and wife, she also gave much time and energy to her church activities and school students as well as friends and neighbors. Thora had a soft heart and took special interest in disadvantaged young people.

She was preceded in death by her husband in 1999 after 59 years of marriage. Also preceding her in death were her brother Olaf Torvick and sisters Borghild Torvick, Florence Brandt, Olga Irene Wagner, Odrun Kesson and Alfhild Oltmanns.

Survivors include three sons: Dan (Alice) Anderson, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Bruce (Laura) Anderson, Holland, Michigan, Lowell (Jean) Anderson, New Salisbury, Indiana, eight grand-children and thirteen great grand-children.

Memorials preferred to the Pioneer Foundation, First Lutheran Church of Fergus Falls, or Donor’s Choice.