Marie Thorson

Marie Rose Kern Thorson (Mari), 100, of Winona, MN passed away on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at Sugar Loaf Senior Living.

Marie was born on July 10,1923 in Axtell, NE to Andrew and Theresa (Vampola) Kern. Marie was the third of seven children and was raised in Minden, NE. Upon completion of high school in 1941 she moved to Omaha, NE. As was common for the day during WWII Marie met a handsome young man at a dance. After much persistence from him Marie and Basil Thorson were married on April 8, 1944 in Murfreesboro, TN. After completion of Basil's military service in 1945 and a short time in NE they moved to Basil's home of Flandreau, SD. Marie's time in SD was spent raising and caring for her three children and helping Basil with his businesses. In 1967 Marie and Basil relocated to Winona, MN. Marie worked at a variety of jobs including Winona Industries, Choates, St Theresa College, Watlow and Bostwicks. Marie and Basil traveled extensively and had many adventures. They liked to camp and took Jeep trips to the Rocky Mountains, a journey to Alaska, a Corvette ride to the east coast, motorcycle trips throughout the country and many others. Marie and Basil retired in 1988 and moved to the Black Hills of SD and traveled in their motorhome to spend winters in Mesa, AZ. Basil passed away in 1991. Marie continued to stay active and spend her summers in the Black Hills (hiking to the top of Harney Peak for her 80th birthday), winters in Mesa and to travel. She loved to read and was seldom without a book. She made trips to Europe, Hawaii, Norway and New Zealand where she discovered her NZ name "Mari". In 2010 Marie moved to Rushford, MN and to Sugar Loaf Senior Living in 2017 when she also stopped driving her little red convertible.

Marie is survived by her children Tom (Diana) Thorson, Trempealeau, WI; Susan (Bob) Duncan, Custer, SD; Steven (Karen) Thorson, Rushford, MN. Her grandchildren are Jennifer (Al) Franz, Jon (Molly) Thorson, Rob (Laurie) Duncan, Andy (Angie) Duncan, Tyler( Laura Hoganson) Thorson, Samantha (Justin Gudmundson) Thorson and Dan Thorson. Her great grandchildren are Sabrina Duncan; Aidan and Anna Franz; Max, Norah and Ruby Thorson; Oaken and Archer Thorson.

Marie was predeceased by her husband Basil (Nov 22, 1991), her great grandchild Andrew Franz (May 25, 2004), and her siblings Ellen, Agnes, Andrew Jr, Robert, Jeannie and Daniel.

A memorial service and interment at Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD will be held at a later date.