×
×
homepage logo

William Thoreson

Mar 13, 2009

A memorial service will be held in the spring in York for William J. (Bill) Thoreson, 89, who died Tuesday, March 3, 2009 in Grand Forks.

Bill was born on Dec. 17, 1919 in York to Carl and Elizabeth (Cochran) Thoreson. He graduated from York High School in 1939 and then attended the University of North Dakota. During World II he served in the U.S. Coast Guard for 3 years. In 1942 he married Ruth Carlson. He farmed the family farm and in 1946 took over the Thoreson grain buying business. He operated grain elevators in York, Leeds and Hong. After retiring he spent much of his time in warmer climates.

He served over 20 years on the Leeds/York school board. He also served in the North Dakota State Senate during the 1969 and 1971 legislative sessions. He was a member of York Lutheran Church, the American Legion, North Dakota Farmers Grain Dealers’ Association, the Shrine and VFW, and other organizations.

He is survived by five children, Carl Thoreson, Mears, Mich.; Elizabeth Tufte, Woodbury, Minn.; Anne Thoreson, Bozeman, Mont.; John Thoreson, Shishmaref, Alaska and York; and William Thoreson, East Grand Forks, Minn.; a sister, Lois Kowski, Santa Fe, N.M.; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Arrangements by Stennes Funeral Home, East Grand Forks, Minn.