Obituary: Donald D. "Don" Thorson

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In memory of

Donald D. "Don" Thorson

of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, formerly of Philip, South Dakota, died on Saturday, July 13, 2013 while on vacation in Medford, Oregon at the age of 53

Donald D. Thorson was born April 29, 1960 in Quinn, SD. He grew up on a ranch northwest of Philip. He attended Alfalfa Valley Rural School before going to Philip High School where he graduated in 1978. He attended SDSU and earned an Associate’s Degree in December 1980. He went to work for Scotchman Industries and was there until 1989 when he went to Canyon, TX and attended West Texas A&M University.. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in computer engineering in 1991.
Don went to work for Conoco in Ponca City, OK. When Phillips 66 and Conoco merged he spent two years traveling the world merging the computer systems of both companies. Once his job was complete, he was transferred to Bartlesville, OK, where he has since resided.
Even though he moved several different times throughout his career his heart always stayed in Philip. He regularly visited Philip, at least twice a year, catching up with his family and friends. He especially enjoyed hiking, hunting, fishing, golfing, camping, and playing cards. One of his highlights was traveling to Norway and finding where his great-grandparents were born.
Survivors include his mother JoAnn Thorson of Philip; five siblings Laurie Dale of Amarillo, Texas, Linda Thorson of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, Rick Thorson and his wife Selma of Philip, Doug Thorson and his wife Nancy of Quinn; and Rhonda Thorson of St. Paul, Minnesota; several nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Don was preceded in death by his father Lauren Thorson in 2005 and brother-in-law Mike Dale in 2006.
Visitation was held 11:00 am to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 20, at the United Church in Philip.
Funeral services were held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, July 20, at the United Church in Philip, with Pastor Kathy Chesney officiating.
Interment was at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.
Cards and memorials may be sent to Rick at P.O. Box 492, Philip, SD 57567.

FUNERAL SERVICES
Saturday, July 20, 2013 - 2:00 p.m.
United Church
Philip, South Dakota
CLERGY
Pastor Kathy Chesney
MUSIC
Barb Bowen - Pianist
Deb Smith - Vocalist
“I Can Only Imagine”
Congregational Hymn
“When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder”
USHERS
Darrel Terkildsen - Jeff Penticoff
PALLBEARERS
Earl Parsons - Bob Thorson
Brian O’Reilly - Boyd Thorson
Glen Radway - Gus Lutjens
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance
INTERMENT
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota

Open the Memorial Folder

Visitation: 11:00 am to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 20, at the United Church in Philip.
Funeral services: 2:00 p.m. Saturday, July 20, at the United Church in Philip,
Interment: Masonic Cemetery in Philip.

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I send my love and prayers to all Don's family, mom, brothers and sisters. What a tragedy. Cousin Kay ~ Kay Foland Rapid City, SD (7/13/2013)
Rick, JoAnn, Doug, Laurie, Linda and Rhonda, So sorry about the loss of Don. He will be greatly missed by all. My prayers are with you all at this time. ~ Jo Ann Hanson Spearfish, SD (7/13/2013)
Rick, Doug, and family. So very sorry to hear of Don's death. You are in my thoughts and prayers. ~ Carmen (Anderson) Heier Sioux Falls (7/13/2013)
sending my deepest sympathys to Dons family it's scarey when it's your classmate. you are in my prayers ~ bonnie moses nebraska (7/13/2013)
Sorry to hear of the loss. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. ~ Carolyn (Gottsleben) Brooks Dupree, SD (7/13/2013)
Joann,Rick and Selma,Doug and Nancy, and the rest of the family. So sorry for your loss-may you be comforted by the good memories. My thoughts and prayers are with you. It was always a pleasure to visit with him on his treks back to Philip when I was living there. ~ Sherman Burns Sheridan Wyoming (7/13/2013)
Dear Aunt JoAnn, Laurie, Linda, Rick, Doug and Rhonda, I am so so sorry about Donnie. My deepest sympathy to you all. I really enjoyed seeing him at last year's Thorson reunion, and hearing him tell of his Norway adventures. This news is really sad for all of us cousins, and we will miss him greatly. ~ Susan Raikas Denver, CO (7/13/2013)
We are saddened to hear of Don's passing. Know that you are all in our thoughts & prayers. God bless! ~ Brock & Brittany Smith Philip, SD (7/13/2013)
May God wrap his arms around all of you and give you Peace in this time of loss. Mom (Diane), Dixie and I are sorry for your loss. ~ Chris Derr Bellevue Neb (7/13/2013)
My deepest sympathy for all Don’s family and friends. Don was my friend, a former West Texas grad, and my noon card partner or opponent. I would tease Don pretty hard about “when you ever going to learn how to play bridge”. We would laugh and he would give us a hard time back. Don was a good player and I figure heaven needed another card player.
So Don, find all the good hunting and fishing spots and keep the table warm. And don’t forget all we taught you.
~ Lloyd Wink 2316 Chapel Hill Crt, Bartlesville, OK 74006 (7/13/2013)
To the Thorson families,

So sorry for your tragic loss. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers! May God bless you all. ~ Nathan & Brittney Drury Philip (7/13/2013)
Rick, Doug and families,
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of Don. May you all be comforted with good memories and love of your family and friends. God bless ~ Duane & J'Nai Hauk Quinn, SD (7/13/2013)
Doug and family,
I am sorry for your loss of your brother Don. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers during this sad time. ~ Tracey Paulsen Spearfish SD (7/13/2013)
Dear Thorson Family, My deepest sympathy to all of you, I am so sorry for your mother, to have to bear the loss of a child on top of her cross is such a heavy burden. Our mother also lost a son last November, she felt so bad for your Mom when we told her this. Know of our thoughts and prayers. ~ Mary Kay Reedy Sandal Plainview, SD (7/13/2013)
JoAnn, Laurie, Rick and Family
We are so sorry for your loss! We are praying that the Lord will surround you with His peace beyond understanding and His comforting arms to stengthen you. ~ Jody Sue Struble Po Box 78 Philip, SD (7/13/2013)
JoAnn, Laurie, Rick, Doug and families,
I was so sorry to hear the news of Donnie's passing.. he is safely in God's hands now. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. ~ Jim Deuchar Philip, SD (7/13/2013)
It was so sad to hear the news about Don. He was a good friend and great, patient golf teacher. We had alot of fun times together. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. ~ Diana Olivier Philip, SD (7/13/2013)
Don was a great co-worker and card partner. I was very saddened to hear he is gone. ~ Dan O'Daniel 410 Trail Court, Bartlesville, Ok (7/13/2013)
Don was a good friend of our family. We made several trips together to football games, concerts, golf tournaments, etc. We will miss his visits back to Ponca. ~ jerry corbin ponca city, oklahoma (7/13/2013)
Don was a past unofficial 401K/retirement advisor, a former co-worker, and a good friend. His passing is a tragedy, and he will be greatly missed by me and all that knew him. ~ Ramona Carr Ponca City, OK (7/13/2013)
We are so sorry for your loss. Keep your memories close and may bless and help you all. ~ Nancy Pekron Ehrhardt Brandon SD (7/13/2013)
Thorson Family,

I am very sorry for your loss. I've worked with Don about a year and will miss him both his professional contributions and his personal ones. He contributed to our team’s success by ensuring our .NET code met company standards, ensuring all the code being developed remained in sync and ensuring we delivered to production only the code branches we intended to release. In addition to his technical contributions, we will miss his smile and his willingness to jump in to help solve issues. Even though Don was very quiet and preferred to work uninterrupted for hours at a time, he was always willing to join those impromptu prairie dog meetings that are vital to the success of TRAC66.

It was a pleasure to know Don. He will remain in our thoughts and prayers. ~ Marion Miller Bartlesville, OK (7/13/2013)
Don and I were coworkers and friends at Conoco in Ponca City. Don was great at his job and was always willing to help. It was obvious he cared dearly for his friends and family and loved South Dakota. Praying you'll be comforted by a peace which transcends all understanding. ~ Linda Mell Edmond, OK (7/13/2013)
JoAnn, Laurie, Linda, Rick, Doug and Rhonda, I am so sorry to hear the loss of Don. May he R.I.P. He will never be forgotten. My mom Judy Foland graduated with him at PHS. Love you Don!!!! XOXOXOXO!!! Love, Cousin Audra, Cousin Judy and Wayne ~ Audra Yanda Carlsbad,CA (7/13/2013)