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Donald Thorson
LCDR Donald D. Thorson age 75 of 8055 Cty Road Z in Custer passed away
unexpectedly and peacefully at his home February 1, 2010.
Funeral services for Don will be held at 6:00 pm Monday February 8,
2010 at the Plover- Shuda Family Funeral Home. Dwaine Habrat pastoral
minister of St. Stanislaus Parish will officiate. Friends and family will
gather to share memories from 5:00 PM Monday to the time of services at
the Plover Funeral Home.
Don was born October 31, 1934 in Black Earth, WI, the son of Russell
and Ada (Bollig) Thorson.
He entered the United States Navy January 13, 1953. During his service,
Don was a Navy Seal, medical officer, then went into the administration aspect of military
where he was utilized in restructuring and running military hospitals and facilities
throughout the United States. He fought for our country, a hero and a special forces and war veteran.
He earned the Korean Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, China Service Medal,
United Nations Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Star,
Combat Action Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation, and Navy Achievement Medal.
After living all over the United States, he chose to retire his military career in Glenview, IL.,
where he was honorably discharged after 27 years of service on August 31, 1980.
While in service, Don chose to further his education and through his diligence he received his
BA degrees in administration, accounting and engineering. He also earned his master
degrees in administration, accounting and nuclear power.
He met the love of his life, Sandy, through her brother, his military buddy. After trying long and hard
to get her to at least go out on a date with him, she finally succumbed, they were inseparable.
Don married Sandy McBrayne January 12, 1960 in Carson City, Nevada.
After serving his country, he worked in Illinois for a nuclear power plant until they decided what they wanted
to do with this new found freedom. He than moved to the Sun Prairie area where he and his wife
obtained CDL licensing and started their new adventure as over the road team semi drivers
and traveled for 25 years with their home based first in Plover, then built another in Polonia where they
eventually retired.
During his driving career he had taken breaks from the harsh road and went back to his roots of
administration and accounting where he served as business administrator for J & L Transport in Almond
and was later, instrumental in the process that helped set up Hospice of Portage County.
Since retirement he greatly enjoyed time spent with his family and friends, laughing & joking, traveling,
working and being on his personal computer.
There is not a day Don will not be greatly missed by his family: daughter: Tammy Thorson, Polonia;
two sons: Kerry Thorson, San Francisco; David (Lisa) Thorson, Sacramento, CA.
his brother Ken (Nancy) Thorson, Tallahassee, FL. Don will also be leaving behind Five grandchildren,
four great grandchildren, a very special neice and nephews.
His very special Heather Ann (Clifford) Ruland, Stevens Point, WI He loved her as a daughter.
He was preceded in death by his parents, the only love of his life, his wife Sandy in 2004, and their son Michael in 1995.
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