Erna Thorson

Erna Emma Thorson, age 77 of Eagle Bend, MN, died Saturday, November 15, 2008 at Lakewood Medical Center in Staples, MN. Services were held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Eagle Bend with Reverend Chad Czischke presiding. Erna was born June 26, 1931 to Julius and Emma (Sieg) Schulz in Madelia, MN. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church and attended St. John's Lutheran School at Willow Creek. It was at the same church she married Robert Thorson on July 21, 1947. Robert and Erna lived on farms at Winthrop, Courtland and Eagle Bend. They retired from farming and moved into the city of Eagle Bend in 2003. She worked at ADC in St. Peter, 3M in New Ulm and Thompson's Bakery in Parkers Prairie. Erna was an active member and served as past president of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League of Immanuel Lutheran Church. She was also a member of the Burleenettes Homemakers Club, where she loved to exhibit and win blue ribbons for her bread and baked goods. Erna is survived by her husband of 61 years, Robert; sons Gerold and his wife Janice of Eagle Bend, Ted and his wife Carol of Courtland and Raymond and his wife Vicki of Elbow Lake; daughters Julie Hoyle and her husband Charles of Port Orange, FL and Diane Wenner and her husband Philip of Courtland; 11 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law John Thorson and his wife Marlys; sister-in-laws Kathleen Schulz, Betty Thorson and Patsy Bode and her husband Wallace; as well as many nieces and nephews. Erna was preceded in death by her parents; brother Walter Schulz; 2 brothers and 5 sisters in infancy; sister and brother-in-law Olidia and Fred Karau; sister and brother-in-law Elna and Marvin Davidson; brothers-in law Dean Thorson, Orland Thorson and his wife Eyvonne; and one granddaughter in infancy. Honorary pallbearers were Amanda Crider, Joshua Crider, Resa Harris Kelly Jensen and Stephanie Keech. Pallbearers were Brian Thorson, Kurt Thorson, Richard Thorson, Joseph Wenner, Michael Wenner and Stephen Wenner. Interment was in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Eagle Bend. Over the years the home was filled with laughter and love of children. No one made better cookies, cakes and meals than Erna.

Erna Thorson

June 26, 1931 - November 15, 2008