Donald Thom
d. October 30, 2004
Donald Thom
Donald Elmer "Don" Thom, age 79, of North Mankato, died Saturday, October 30, 2004 at his home, after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Funeral service 10:30 Wednesday, November 3, 2004 at St. Pauls Evangelical Lutheran Church in North Mankato, with Rev. Gary Wong officiating. Interment will be in Pilgrims Rest Cemetery, Mankato. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday at Mankato Mortuary and continues one hour before services at church on Wednesday.
Donald was born September 6, 1925 in Nicollet to August and Esther (Kettner) Thom. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Nicollet. He attended Trinity Parochial School in Nicollet and worked on the family farm until he entered military service in 1945. He served in the U.S. Army in the South Pacific until his Honorable Discharge in October 1946.
On June 9, 1948 he married Irene Marie Fluegge at Zions Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brighton Township, Nicollet County. They lived in Mankato until 1951 when they moved into a home he constructed in North Mankato. Irene died from cancer on January 25, 1975. On May 1, 1976 Donald married Orloene O. (Radel) Fossen at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Mankato. They resided in North Mankato until the time of his death.
Donald worked as a house builder for E.H. Hermel Construction for many years. He later worked for George Carlstrom Construction and finally with A.J. Hoffman as a finish carpenter until his retirement. He was an active member of St. Pauls Evangelical Lutheran Church where he served in various capacities, including Board of Deacons and Board of Trustees.
He was an avid bowler and also enjoyed traveling, dancing, playing horseshoes, golf, card games, and doing special woodworking projects for his family. He donated his special carpentry skills to many projects at his church and the WELS Lutheran Student Center at MSU-Mankato. He was a lifetime member of the VFW Post #950. He especially enjoyed attending the sporting events and school activities of his children and grandchildren.
Donald is survived by his wife, Orloene of North Mankato; daughter, Janel (Bob) Rau of Tracy; three sons, Kevin (Nancy) Thom, Alan (Cynthia) Thom all of Mankato, Michael (Mary) Thom of Rochester; three stepsons, Larry (Linda) Fossen of St. Anthony, Mark (Pat) Fossen of Owatonna, Thomas (Delores) Fossen of Ocean Springs, MS; stepdaughter, Janelle Fossen and special friend, Douglas Buckner of Clarksville, TN; sister, Phyllis (Bob) Olsen of Mankato; brother, Wallace (Shirley) Thom of Granite Falls; eighteen grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Irene; two brothers, Gene and Edward.
Funeral service 10:30 Wednesday, November 3, 2004 at St. Pauls Evangelical Lutheran Church in North Mankato, with Rev. Gary Wong officiating. Interment will be in Pilgrims Rest Cemetery, Mankato. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday at Mankato Mortuary and continues one hour before services at church on Wednesday.
Donald was born September 6, 1925 in Nicollet to August and Esther (Kettner) Thom. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Nicollet. He attended Trinity Parochial School in Nicollet and worked on the family farm until he entered military service in 1945. He served in the U.S. Army in the South Pacific until his Honorable Discharge in October 1946.
On June 9, 1948 he married Irene Marie Fluegge at Zions Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brighton Township, Nicollet County. They lived in Mankato until 1951 when they moved into a home he constructed in North Mankato. Irene died from cancer on January 25, 1975. On May 1, 1976 Donald married Orloene O. (Radel) Fossen at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Mankato. They resided in North Mankato until the time of his death.
Donald worked as a house builder for E.H. Hermel Construction for many years. He later worked for George Carlstrom Construction and finally with A.J. Hoffman as a finish carpenter until his retirement. He was an active member of St. Pauls Evangelical Lutheran Church where he served in various capacities, including Board of Deacons and Board of Trustees.
He was an avid bowler and also enjoyed traveling, dancing, playing horseshoes, golf, card games, and doing special woodworking projects for his family. He donated his special carpentry skills to many projects at his church and the WELS Lutheran Student Center at MSU-Mankato. He was a lifetime member of the VFW Post #950. He especially enjoyed attending the sporting events and school activities of his children and grandchildren.
Donald is survived by his wife, Orloene of North Mankato; daughter, Janel (Bob) Rau of Tracy; three sons, Kevin (Nancy) Thom, Alan (Cynthia) Thom all of Mankato, Michael (Mary) Thom of Rochester; three stepsons, Larry (Linda) Fossen of St. Anthony, Mark (Pat) Fossen of Owatonna, Thomas (Delores) Fossen of Ocean Springs, MS; stepdaughter, Janelle Fossen and special friend, Douglas Buckner of Clarksville, TN; sister, Phyllis (Bob) Olsen of Mankato; brother, Wallace (Shirley) Thom of Granite Falls; eighteen grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Irene; two brothers, Gene and Edward.
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