Roy A. Thorson

Roy Thorson, 93 of Viborg died Sunday, April 8, 2018 at the Pioneer Memorial Nursing Home, Viborg. Memorial services will be at 1:30pm Saturday, April 21, 2018 at the Bethany Lutheran Church, Viborg. Arrangements by Hofmeister Jones Funeral Home. Roy Arnold Thorson was born on September 24, 1924 in Kandiyohi County, MN to Murphy and Elsie (Rood) Thorson. He grew up in Minnesota before serving in the US Navy during WW II, stationed in Hawaii. After discharge, he married Grace Anderson on October 14, 1947 and they made their first home in Sioux Falls, SD. He received a BS degree in chemistry from Augustana College in 1950 and was a disc jockey for KISD until 1955. He then began work with KELO Television and they moved to Garden City where he became the managing engineer at the transmission tower, KDLO and where he remained until his retirement in 1994 at age 70. They raised their 4 children in Clark, SD; he also lived for a time in Webster, SD and Aberdeen, SD. He had many interests including golf, bowling and carpentry but had a special love for fishing and boating, especially with family. He and his first wife, Grace, had a cabin at Blue Dog Lake where they entertained their children and grandchildren for many years. They spent countless hours creating a special world of fun for their grandchildren. With unlimited patience, they taught them how to fish and waterski. The children now carry with them many lessons of love and life taught by example from their grandparents. In January 2005, he married Carol Schelske and they made their home in Viborg, SD. They traveled yearly to Weslaco, TX to enjoy the warmth, sun and friendship during the winter months. Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Carol; his children Steve, West Des Moines, IA, Valerie Kranhold, Aberdeen, SD, Gregory (Ellen), DeSoto, MO, and Bradley (Robin), Mound, MN; grandchildren Randy, Jeff, Lara, Jason, Taryn, Raymond, Glenn, Daniel, and Elizabeth; 18 great grandchildren, and a great great grandchild; and Carol's children, Karen (Neil) Faerber ,Yankton, SD, Donald Jr. Schelske and Gary Steele, both of Florida; grandchildren Dustin, Kristina, and Jenny. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Grace, brothers Edward, Clarence, Marvin, and Walter, a sister Rosella, grandson James, a son in law Dean, and daughters in law Cecilia and Pamela.