Donald Lewis Thorsett was born on December 31, 1925 in Staples, MN, to parents Elias and Caroline (Nelson) Thorsett. He was the youngest of six children. Donald’s childhood years were spent in Staples, MN.
Most of Donald’s career was spent as an accountant for Unisys (Univac). Donald married Grace Anderson on July 16, 1946 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, MN. They were blessed with seven children, Ron, Cherilynn, Gloria, Patricia, Randall, Karen and Kristen.
Donald served in the United States Navy for four years. He was in combat operations in the Pacific including the Battle of Okinawa.
Donald was a stoic, proud Norwegian whose lifecentered around his family.
Donald’s love for travel included visiting all fifty states, nearly all in the RVs that he and Grace spent so much time together in. They also visited Nashville, Tennessee many times as Donald had a love for country music. He also enjoyed bowling and planting trees and of course their four-legged feline friends, Molly and Louie.
At the age of 86 and a resident of Prior Lake, Donald Thorsett passed away peacefully at his home in the presence of his family in the afternoon hours of Friday, February 3, 2012.
Forever loved, Donald will be deeply missed by his wife of 65 years, Grace; children, Ron (Jody) Thorsett of Eden Prairie, Cherilynn (Jim) Kzaley of Apple Valley, Gloria (Bill) Jiorle of Easton, PA, Patricia (Terry) Crouse of Harleysville, PA, Randall Thorsett of Minnetonka, Karen (Jerre) Thorsett-Hill of Charlotte, NC, Kristen (Bob) Kowalski of St. Paul; grandchildren, Tommy, Jenna, Dan, Steve, Kevin, Jenni, Lisa, Joe, Brian, Melissa, Brandon; great-grandchildren, Ellie, Connor, Casey, Katie, Adrienne & Morgan; sister, Margaret Fastner; special feline friends, Molly and Louie.
Donald is preceded in death by his parents, Elias and Caroline Thorsett; brothers, Elmer, Morley and Clifford Thorsett; sister, Florence Opheim.
Donald’s pall bearers will be Ron Thorsett, Kevin Kzaley, Dan Kzaley, Bob Kowalski, Steve Kzaley and Jenna Thorsett.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 from 11:00 a. m. to 12:00 noon, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake, followed by the funeral service at 12:00 noon. Pastor Brent Parrish will officiate. Donald will be laid to rest at Fort Snelling National Cemetery with full military honors.
