Obit: Frost, Thorvald (1924 - 2014)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Dehn, Dunbar, Frome, Frost, Laursen, Mehus, O'Konski, Pedersen, Ryan

----Source: WIGM/WKEB Obituaries (Medford, WI) 1/15/2015

Frost, Thorvald (17 JUN 1924 - 11 DEC 2014)

Thorvald Frost, age 90, of Withee, died peacefully at home where he was born on Thursday, December 11, 2014 under the care of Ministry Home Hospice.

Thorvald was the youngest child born to Christian and Jensina (Pedersen) Frost on June 17, 1924. He attended Withee Grade School and graduated from Withee High School in 1942.

In January 1943, he was drafted into the U. S. Army. His unit was part of the 391st Anti-Aircraft Battalion. After training at several camps on the east coast, he embarked from Boston bound for England in preparation for the European invasion. While stationed at Wales, his unit marched into town to watch King George and Queen Elizabeth and the two princesses, Elizabeth (now Queen) and Margaret pass by in their buggies. A couple of weeks after D-Day, Thorvald entered Omaha Beach and was stationed at various posts in France. After the war, he was stationed in Luxemburg where he guarded the German War Generals before their trials at Nuremburg. Thorvald was honorably discharged in January 1946.

It was then he and his brother went to the "bright lights" of the city. He was employed in Minneapolis until 1954. The "lights" were no longer bright, so Thorvald returned to Withee. It was then he developed his knowledge and love for carpentry under the expertise of Peter and Jerry Pabich.

Thorvald loved to dance. It was at a dance that he met the love of his life. He married Joan Dehn on August 18, 1956 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Unity. The purchased the family farm in 1956. Thorvald farmed and did carpentry work until 1989 when he retired from farming. He continued carpentry work and in the latter years spent many hours doing woodcraft. Family and friends have all been recipients of his work.

Retirement gave him time to give to his community. He joined the Owen-Withee Lions Club. For his dedicated work and service, Thorvald was chosen by his fellow Lions as Lion of the Year, Melvin Jones and Birch Strum awards. He remained a member until his death.

Thorvald became an avid gardener and spent many hours working in his garden and lawn. Winter gave him time for quilting. He and his wife made hundreds of quilts for the needy, many of which were taken by the Lions Glass Mission to Mexico and Central America.

Thorvald was a backer of the many school activities of his children and grandchildren. He could be seen in attendance whether it was music, drama, or sports.

Thorvald was a life-time member of Nazareth Lutheran Church and served on the church council as youth advisor, played dart ball on the men's team and was a member of the Nazareth Cemetery Board.

He enjoyed traveling. They toured many parts of the U.S. and Canada in their early years of retirement.

Thorvald is survived by his wife of 58 years, Joan; a daughter, Renae (Steve) O'Konski and their children, Jay (Patti Ryan) and Devon O'Konski; a son, Mark (Cherrie) Frost and their children, Nicole (Brandon) Dunbar and Travis (Samantha) Frost. He is further survived by a sister-in-law, Ruby Frost; in-laws, Esther Dehn, Dr. A.C. and Lois Dehn and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; father and mother-in-law, William and Elizabeth Dehn; his sisters, Adia (Earl) Mehus and Anna (Alfred) Laursen; his brother, Kristian Frost; brother-in-law, William Dehn and his sister-in-law, Lucille (Glenn) Frome.

A Memorial Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2015 at Nazareth Lutheran Church in Withee at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the service.
Memorials may be given to Ministry Home Care Hospice, Wisconsin Lions Foundation or Nazareth Lutheran Church.

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