There is little doubt that 95 years, 3 months, and 19 days is a mighty long time – especially for a life. Yet, that is just what Vernon “Vern” Gene Thorson did. His impressive tenure here on earth came to a peaceful end on Monday night, September 23, 2024, when Vern made the decision to finally join his beloved wife Marlys Thorson in Heaven. A memorial service will be held at 1:30 PM, Friday, April 25, 2025 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Flandreau, SD.
Born on June 4, 1929, to Willy and Belle Thorson, Vern grew up on the family farm with his older sister Willys and his older brother Basil. The farm was located in Moody County, South Dakota, just east of I-29, sharing a section of their land with the Midway Lutheran Church, which was built on land donated by Vern’s grandfather Thomas Thorson. Eventually, Vern made his way into Flandreau, where he attended Flandreau High School, and where he met a beautiful underclassman, Marlys Hanson. Vern graduated from FHS in 1947 and then attended South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota. Vern was always quick to point out that he earned a letter his freshman year at SDSU, filling the role of student manager for the men’s track team. While attending SDSU Vern was also a member of the South Dakota Army National Guard, a unit that was called up by the United States Army shortly after the Korean War began. To avoid being separated by the War, Vern and Marlys were wed on August 11, 1950. The lovebirds spent the early years of their marriage in either Colorado Springs or in Fairbanks, Alaska, where Vern’s unit was stationed. The only negative to the years of service was the fact that Vern developed some lifelong hearing issues from his time as a Master Sergeant in a heavy artillery unit.
Vern and Marlys moved back to Flandreau after the Korean War ended, and there they started a family. Theresa “Terri” was born in August 1953, and not long after Gerald “Gary” was born in October 1954. Though originally in business with his father and brother as a part owner of Thorson Motors located on North Crescent Street where Sturdevant’s Auto is now, Vern eventually took a job with Massey Ferguson, relocating his young family to Omaha, Nebraska. Vern spent the rest of his career working for Massey, his various positions taking him back and forth across the Midwest – primarily in various cities and towns in Iowa and Nebraska. While living and working in Omaha following one of those moves, Vern and Marlys welcomed their third child, Eric in 1963.
Vern and Marlys relocated to Minneapolis in the fall of 1984 where he finished his career as an employee of Massey in 1985. He did stay on as Massey’s regional manager for the western states working on a contract basis for several more years from their new home in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains west of Loveland, Colorado. He eventually completely retired, and then, in 1989, Vern and Marlys returned to their roots. They moved back to Flandreau, South Dakota to be closer to friends and to the area of the country that they both always loved. In fact, they moved into Marlys’ childhood home and – though they did some adding on to the home – stayed there through Marlys’ unexpected passing in 2012, and Vern’s eventual relocation to a skilled nursing facility after a fall in the summer of 2020.
Vern and Marlys loved their life in Flandreau. They were involved in various friend groups, routinely meeting the “Groupies” on Thursday evenings for dinner. They were proud members of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. After Marlys’ passing Vern maintained those lifelong friendships, he enjoyed spending his Sunday mornings attending church and then going for brunch with good friends. All who knew Vern enjoyed his company, his sense of humor, his kindness, and his dedication to various hobbies. There is no question that Vern will be missed. He was the definition of a great husband, a great father, a great friend, and a great man.
Vern is survived by his daughter, Theresa (Bill) Sawyer, Omaha, NE; sons Gary (Lisa), Grand Junction, CO and Eric (Dawn), Foothill Ranch, CA; seven grandchildren, Crystal, Maren, Courtney, Lindsay, Antia, Hannah and Jake and great grandchildren, Brody, Sophia Mae and Grayson. Vern was preceded in death by his parents Willy and Belle Thorson, wife Marlys, sister Willys, and brother Basil.
In memory of Vern, please consider a memorial donation to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Flandreau, South Dakota.
