Obit: Thorson, Robert J. (1928 - 2017)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Anderson, Beck, Bell, Christianson, Grote, Hagen, Hanna, Nielsen, Roberts, Stensven, Thorson, Toft

----Source: The Cornell Courier - Sentinel (Cornell, WI) 11/10/2017

Thorson, Robert “Bob” J. (13 JAN 1928 - 25 OCT 2017)

Robert “Bob” J. Thorson, 89, Cadott, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017, at his home with family at his side. Robert was born Jan. 13, 1928, the son of Norman and Irene Thorson in Whitehall.

He attended and graduated from Blair High School in 1946. He then served his country in the United States Army in Trieste, Italy, from 1946-’47.

Bob received his bachelor’s in teaching chemistry and physics from River Falls State University in 1952. He later received his master’s from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1958.
He taught for 36 years, beginning in Cadott in 1958, with four years in Seville, Spain, at the Military Dependants School, before returning to Cadott to teach until his retirement in 1989.

Robert was united in marriage to Beverly “Bev” Grote in April 1953. They had two children, Bob and Julie, and were married for 49 years before Bev’s passing in 2003.

He was a longtime member of the Cadott Lions Club, VFW, American Legion and Tribute Committee. Over the years, he received several awards for his service in those community organizations. He was also honored as the grand marshal of Cadott Nabor Days this past summer.

Bob was an avid sportsman. He enjoyed fishing, bird hunting, bow hunting, trap shooting, bowling, wood carving and card playing. He loved life, his family, friends and the community he was part of for 65 years

He is survived by his son – Robert A. (Lori Hagen) Thorson, Chippewa Falls; daughter – Julie Nielsen, Eau Claire; grandchildren – Melinda Nielsen, Beaver Dam, Ashley (Donald) Beck, Eau Claire, and Aubree Hagen, Chippewa Falls; great-grandchildren – KayLee and Tristan Beck; brother – Howard (Mary) Christianson, Sun Prairie; sisters – Delores Hanna, Eau Claire, Helen (Robert) Toft, Strum, Hilma (Verdal) Anderson, Fort Atkinson, and Dorothy Roberts, Beloit; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife – Beverly; father – Norman Thorson; mother – Irene and stepfather – Hilman Christianson; sister – Kathryn and brother-in-law – Robert Stensven; brother – Harvey Christianson; and father and mother-in-law – Leon and Chrystal Grote.

Services were held at noon Monday, Oct. 30, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Cadott, with the Rev. Raymond Bell officiating. Interment will be in the Brooklawn Cemetery in Cadott at a later date.

Visitation was from 4-8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29, at Leiser Funeral Home in Cadott, and also one hour prior to services Monday, at the church. Military honors were conducted by the Cadott American Legion and VFW immediately following the services on Monday, at the church.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.leiserfuneralhome.com. 

A special thank you to Colleen Kolpien, and St. Joseph’s Hospice and staff.