Donald Thoreson

Donald Edward Thoreson, 92, of Clear Lake, died Monday, May 4, 2015, at Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, Iowa.

     Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 30, 2015, at the Evangelical Free Church, Clear Lake, with Pastor Randy Vaage officiating.  Military honors will be provided by the Clear Lake V.F.W.   The family will greet friends on Friday, May 29, from 5-7 p.m. at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, and then one hour before the service at the church. Family suggests memorials to Donald E. Thoreson memorial fund.

Don was born July 28, 1922 in Ellsworth, Iowa, the son of O. Adolph and Amanda (Lindenback) Thoreson.  

     Don was born and raised in Ellsworth, Iowa.  He graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1941 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in April, 1944.  He served in World War II in the Navy Hospital Corp.  He was honorably discharged in November of 1947.

     He owned and operated Turkey Hatchery & Farms in Ellsworth and Milford, Iowa and was the Poultry Consultant in the Midwest.

Don married Roberta Allen to which two children were born, Debra and David.  On June 19, 1966, he was married to Charlene Joy Granger. Her children, Susan, Jeanne and Linda were added to the family.  The family moved to Clear Lake,  where Don was owner of Touristville Boat Company. 

     In 1973 Don saw the need to promote winter activities in North Iowa and to provide organized winter recreation for North Iowa residents. He was the founder of North Iowa Winter Olympus.

     Don enjoyed golfing with friends and grandchildren; boating and teaching his children and their friends to water ski. He also enjoyed snowmobiling and the many snowmobile trips with his family and friends. He loved his many travels with Charlene and his greatest joy was attending and supporting his grandchildren in their many activities.  He was an avid Clear Lake Lions and Ventura Vikings supporter. He also enjoyed participating in the morning “hearing impaired” coffee group at the Deli and his coffee friends at the Thrifty White.

The couple recently moved to Apple Valley Assisted Living.

Don attended Clear Lake Evangelical Free Church.

He is survived by his wife, Charlene Thoreson, Clear Lake; daughter, Debra Kay (Joe) Sneller, Lincoln, Neb.; son, David Edward (Carmen) Thoreson, LaCrosse, Wis.; step-daughters, Susan Kaye (Larry) Treloar, Clear Lake, Jeanne Pike, Ankeny, Iowa, Linda Lee (Doug) Ward, Clear Lake; nine grandchildren, Andrew (Hannah) Sneller, Lindsay (Mike) Kelly, Christian (Chalis) Treloar, Jeremiah (Lynn) Treloar, Michaela Treloar, Cassidy (Chad) Pals, Jason Pike, Amanda (Peter) Chidister, Dustin (Melodee) Ward; and 18 great-grandchildren.

Don was preceded in death by his mother, father and five brothers, Ike, Jess, Curt, Bill and Ralph, and two sisters, Ruth Barkema and Emma who died in infancy.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.