1921
Thorwald
2015
Thorwald Hanson
August 5, 1921 — May 23, 2015
Henry "Thor" Hansen, 93 of Barrett died Saturday, May 23, 2015 at the Barrett Care Center.
On August 5, 1921, Henry Thorwald Hansen was born, the son of Tillie (Bathilda Burtness) and Henry T. Hansen. Henry Thorwald was the third generation to live on the farm his grandfather, H.P. Hansen, homesteaded in 1871. Thor's father operated the farm for many years and in turn was succeeded by his sons: Phillip, David, and Thor who were known as the "Hansen Bros". They specialized in dairy and beef cattle, small grain and corn in their farming operation. December 23, 1970, Thor and Jenny Velsvaag were married. The farm land has been sold and is no longer in the family. Thor and Jenny continued to maintain their home on the building site acres until they sold and moved into Maplewood Manor, Elbow Lake in May 2002. They had no children. Aside from farming, selling and appraising real estate, Thor was active in many other areas: Grant County Soil and Water Conservation Board; State Conservation Board; Local Creamery Board; Fergus Falls Creamery Board; Grant County Extension Committee; Lay Leaders Committee; Grant County American Cancer Society; The Gideon's International, Fergus Falls Camp; Habitat for Humanity Board; Salvation Army Board, Fergus Falls; various Church positions, President, Treasurer, Trustee, etc. Last, but not least, a blood donor with type O+ blood. Like others when they retire, he kept busy. For hobbies he made grandfather clocks, furniture, and other wood products. He made various wood products for churches. When he moved into Elbow Lake he volunteered in many capacities. He visited many places of interest in The United States and Canada; Vienna, Austria; Luxembourg; Cologne, Germany; Caracas, Venezuela; Hawaii; and last, but not least, the home place of his ancestors on his mother's side of the family and Jenny's cousins in northern Norway. On May 3, 1936, Henry Thorwald Hansen confirmed his faith in Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In the 1980's he learned that "God is Enough." Thorwald is survived by his wife, Jenny; sister, Irene Hansen; niece, Gail (Glen) Bjornstad; nephews, Jay Hansen, and Ralph (Denise) Hansen; along with several nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Phillip (Lucille) Hansen, Raymond (Harriet) Hansen, David (Laura) and (Inga) Hansen, and niece, Jan Hansen. Memorials are preferred to the Gideons. Funeral Service will be 2:00 pm, Friday May 29, 2015 at Grace Evangelical Free Church in Elbow Lake.
Visitation will be two hours prior to the funeral at the church.
Interment will be in the West Elbow Lake Cemetery. The Erickson-Smith Funeral Home of Elbow Lake is in charge of the arrangements.
Thorwald Hansen Memorial Folder
Funeral Home: Erickson-Smith Funeral Home - Elbow Lake 116 1st Street NE Elbow Lake, MN US 56531
Friday, May 29, 2015
Service
Friday, May 29, 2015
cemetery
Friday, May 29, 2015
On August 5, 1921, Henry Thorwald Hansen was born, the son of Tillie (Bathilda Burtness) and Henry T. Hansen. Henry Thorwald was the third generation to live on the farm his grandfather, H.P. Hansen, homesteaded in 1871. Thor's father operated the farm for many years and in turn was succeeded by his sons: Phillip, David, and Thor who were known as the "Hansen Bros". They specialized in dairy and beef cattle, small grain and corn in their farming operation. December 23, 1970, Thor and Jenny Velsvaag were married. The farm land has been sold and is no longer in the family. Thor and Jenny continued to maintain their home on the building site acres until they sold and moved into Maplewood Manor, Elbow Lake in May 2002. They had no children. Aside from farming, selling and appraising real estate, Thor was active in many other areas: Grant County Soil and Water Conservation Board; State Conservation Board; Local Creamery Board; Fergus Falls Creamery Board; Grant County Extension Committee; Lay Leaders Committee; Grant County American Cancer Society; The Gideon's International, Fergus Falls Camp; Habitat for Humanity Board; Salvation Army Board, Fergus Falls; various Church positions, President, Treasurer, Trustee, etc. Last, but not least, a blood donor with type O+ blood. Like others when they retire, he kept busy. For hobbies he made grandfather clocks, furniture, and other wood products. He made various wood products for churches. When he moved into Elbow Lake he volunteered in many capacities. He visited many places of interest in The United States and Canada; Vienna, Austria; Luxembourg; Cologne, Germany; Caracas, Venezuela; Hawaii; and last, but not least, the home place of his ancestors on his mother's side of the family and Jenny's cousins in northern Norway. On May 3, 1936, Henry Thorwald Hansen confirmed his faith in Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In the 1980's he learned that "God is Enough." Thorwald is survived by his wife, Jenny; sister, Irene Hansen; niece, Gail (Glen) Bjornstad; nephews, Jay Hansen, and Ralph (Denise) Hansen; along with several nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Phillip (Lucille) Hansen, Raymond (Harriet) Hansen, David (Laura) and (Inga) Hansen, and niece, Jan Hansen. Memorials are preferred to the Gideons. Funeral Service will be 2:00 pm, Friday May 29, 2015 at Grace Evangelical Free Church in Elbow Lake.
Visitation will be two hours prior to the funeral at the church.
Interment will be in the West Elbow Lake Cemetery. The Erickson-Smith Funeral Home of Elbow Lake is in charge of the arrangements.
Funeral Home: Erickson-Smith Funeral Home - Elbow Lake 116 1st Street NE Elbow Lake, MN US 56531
Previous Events
VisitationFriday, May 29, 2015
12:00 PM
- 2:00 PM
Grace Evangelical Free Church
211 11th Ae. SE
Elbow Lake, MN 56531
Friday, May 29, 2015
2:00 PM
Grace Evangelical Free Church
211 11th Ae. SE
Elbow Lake, MN 56531
Friday, May 29, 2015
West Elbow Lake Lutheran Cemetery
County Highway 44 and 250th Street
Elbow Lake, MN
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