Truman Thorsen

Truman Iver Thorsen, 78, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Tuesday, August 28, 2012, at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, North Dakota. He was born on March 17, 1934, in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, the son of Gotfred and Gunhild (Haarstad) Thorsen. He graduated from Fergus Falls High School in 1952. On October 16, 1953, he married Donna Nelson at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls. He worked for Fergus Falls Ready Mix, Dieseth Construction, and in 1963 he became part owner of M & R Sign Co. In 1985 he sold his share of the business and acquired a car dealer’s license. For many years he would go to car auctions to buy and sell cars. In later years he started helping Doug Dahlen with field work and he really enjoyed being back on the farm. Most recently he was helping Coleman Farms. Truman had a passion for all kinds of car and snowmobile racing. He would either attend them or watch them on TV. Every day he looked forward to his morning coffee sessions at the Viking Cafe with his friends, and also spending time at the Pool Hall. He was a member of the Eagles and Elks for over 50 years. His grandchildren were a special part of his life. He liked to tease them and tell them jokes. He enjoyed his many moose hunting and fishing trips to Canada. Truman and Donna did lots of traveling in their motor home, but for the last 15 years they have spent winters in Arizona. Preceding him in death were his parents, his father and mother-in-law, Clifford and Lillian Nelson, and his sister-in-law, Maggie (Don) Nelson. Survivors include his wife, Donna, of 58 years, of Fergus Falls; three children: Steve (Sue) Thorsen of Fergus Falls, Lori (Thomas) Knapp of Indianapolis, IN, and Jana (Lance Wagner) Thorsen of Cincinnati, OH; four grandchildren: Ashley and Ryan Thorsen, and Katherine and Michael Knapp; a brother, Richard (Carol) Thorsen; and many sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews. Memorials are preferred to the Aastad Church Building Improvement Fund. Visitation: 12-3 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church. Service: 2 p.m. Friday, August 31, 2012, at Aastad Lutheran Church, rural Fergus Falls Clergy: Reverend Dan Cole Interment: Aastad Lutheran Cemetery, rural Fergus Falls, MN Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls is in charge of the arrangements.