Details

Collection Summary
Collection: FND001 - SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Series: Tribute
Folder: DIG
Item: 271078
Title: Dale O. Thorstenson
Date: 10/5/1929-3/10/2023
Inscription/Marks: 10/5/1929
Summary: Dale O. Thorstenson, 93, Bismarck, ND, passed away March 10, 2023. A funeral service was held March 24, 2023, at First Lutheran Church, Bismarck. Interment was held March 24, 2023, at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, ND. Dale Oscar Thorstenson was the first son born to Katherine and Oscar Thorstenson in Bowdon, ND. Dale was raised on a farm outside of Bowdon and had two brothers, Chuck “Bub” and Kenny “Uncle Bill.” His memories of the farm were hard due to many years of the Depression and the Dust Bowl, but he loved Bowdon, the community, and all sports, especially basketball and baseball. He was one of the stars of the team and often recalled those exciting games! Dale attended college at Valley City State, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in education, biology and phy ed. His first job was in Litchville, ND, where he taught all the high school sciences and coached. Dale loved to coach! He then served in Japan during the Korean war and returned to teach at Arthur, ND, for a period but soon transitioned to Bismarck High School. He taught sophomore biology for years, and he coached football and track. After attaining his master’s degree in counseling, Dale became a guidance counselor and rose to become Director of Guidance Counseling at BHS until his retirement in 1991. Dale kept his passion for sports his entire life, so he could be seen at many games, refereeing, working the game clock, or keeping the statistics. Dale married Vivian Paulson of Devils Lake, ND, on June 5, 1958. They met on a blind date connected by mutual friends. June 5, 2023 will be their 65th wedding anniversary. Dale and Vivian had three children, Rene, Linda, and Craig, and raised them on North Bell Street. They lived in that home for 63 years! Dale and Vivian loved to garden, with a large vegetable garden in the back and several flower beds. Dale also was a beekeeper for many years, and one memory the children have is of the neighborhood kids all gathering in the yard to eat balls of honey wax after the honey was harvested. Dale and Vivian were lifelong members of First Lutheran Church, serving on the board and singing in the choir. They attended for decades until it became difficult in their later years, but they remained dedicated to the church community. Hunting was one of Dale’s favorite activities. He hunted deer and game birds until he was 80 years old. He also enjoyed the peacefulness of fishing on a lake. He loved that time with his friends and brothers. He also loved his dogs, Duke and Jake, both Labrador retrievers. He had a soft spot for dogs his whole life. He was a wiley card player who loved a good game of cribbage and pinochle. Another lifelong hobby was music. He often played old time hymns on the family piano and to the very last days had a harmonica ready to play “You are my Sunshine.” Dale was a man with a gentle, quiet way, and he always showed up. He was there for his children’s games and concerts. He showed up for his grandchildren. Ben (grandson) was an athlete in Bismarck, and his grandparents rarely missed a game. His granddaughters, Marit and Jessie, grew up in Seattle. Dale and Vivian were sure to attend their big events, from musicals to cheer competitions and graduations. Dale was devoted, loyal, and cherished his family above all else. He is survived by his wife, Vivian; his children, Rene (Chuck) Murry, Linda (Tod) Kringstad, and Craig (Robin) Thorstenson; grandchildren, Ben (Jill) Kringstad, Marit (Josh) Murry-Aguilar, and Jessie Murry; and his great-grandchildren, Ella Rae and Avery Kringstad. Dale is also survived by his brother, Kenneth (June) Thorstenson; nephews, Rod, Steve, Tad and David Thorstenson and their families; nephew, Tim Thorstenson; and his niece, LeeAnn (Paul) Short. Dale was preceded in death by his brother, Chuck Thorstenson; sister-in-law, Lori Thorstenson; and parents, Katherine and Oscar Thorstenson.
Red ID: FND_I_78568 Image ID: 595426 Image Notes: FND001 271078

Collection: FND001 Digitized Images from Collection
Title: SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Date: -

Summary: The North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program is sponsored by the North Dakota Funeral Directors Association. The life stories of deceased North Dakotans are featured in an archvied collection. Current partners in the project are Eastgate Funeral & Cremation Services, Bismarck Evans Funeral Homes, Carrington and New Rockford Everson-Coughlin Funeral Home, Williston Fulkerson Funeral Home, Tioga Fulkerson Funeral Home, Watford City Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home, Williston Nero Funeral Home, Bottineau Parkway Funeral Service, Bismarck Springan Stevenson Funeral Home, Stanley Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson These funeral homes provide recent obituaries to the Foundation, where staff and volunteers format, edit and archive each memorial. The memorials are posted, and copies are sent to the family for their input and approval. The listing currently features more than 13,000 memorials, and is constantly updated as new memorials and histories are received.

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