Liberty County Times, Chester, MT, 10 June 1998
clifford George Thorson, 84, died of natural causes at his Joplin home on the early morning of Saturday, June 6, 1998. He was diagnosed with lung cancer two years ago.
Cliff was the only son of six children of Gilbert and Mabel (Lewis) Thorson. He was born at Wales, North Dakota on September 8, 1913. Shortly after his birth the family farmhouse burned to the ground, so the Thorsons moved to Montana to a homestead 14 miles north of Joplin. Cliff's early education was at the West Bench country school. He graduated from Joplin High School in 1931, then began college at Northern Montana in Havre. His goal was a degree in forestry, but the Depression squelched his dream; he returned to Joplin to help on the family farm.
Cliff married his childhood sweetheart Lucille Poppler at Havre on February 18, 1938. Soon after, World War II broke out. Cliff contributed to the war effort by working as a chauffeur at McDonald Douglas Aircraft in California, then as a riveter for Boeing Corporation in Seattle, and finally as an airplane mechanic at Gore Hill in Great Falls. They returned to the family farm in 1945. They lived, worked and raised their family in the Joplin community from that time on. They retired from farming in 1980.
Cliff was a life member of the Bethel Lutheran Church in Joplin; he had served on the church council and was also active in the Lutheran Brotherhood. He was a past member of the Joplin School Board, the Joplin Commercial Club, and had served as a Boy Scout leader.
Cliff's hobbies included fishing, hunting and gardening. Years ago he was an active bowler in the men's and mixed leagues. The Thorsons enjoyed playing cards with family and friends. Cliff was especially fond of Pan, Pinochle and Whist. In n his quiet hours Cliff enjoyed reading; he read his Bible faithfully and he also liked to read news publications. He loved poetry and had an exceptional memory, so could easily recite long poems and verses he had learned over the years. Cliff loved his role as a Montana farmer and was content with his life on the Hi-Line. He loved his family, especially Lucille, and remained inseparable from her during their 60 years of married life together.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three children and their spouses including Nancy and Larry Olson of Joplin, Jerry and Gloria Thorson of Joplin, and Candy and Kenny Nelson of Chinook; ten grandchildren, three great-grandchildren. Cliff was preceded in death by his parents; by three sisters (Lillian, Violet and Gladys) and by a grandson (Casey Thorson).
Funeral services were Tuesday, June 9 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Joplin with Rev. Darrell Cousino officiating. Special readings were by Candy Nelson and Windy Young. Debbie Brownlee served as pianist and the congregation sang "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" and "My Life Flows on an Endless Song." Vocalist Jeff Wehr performed "The Wind Beneath My Wings." Ushers were Ellsworth Graff and Tom Wood, Sr. Cliff's six grandsons were his pallbearers. Honorary bearers were "all of his friends." Burial was in the Joplin Cemetery.
clifford George Thorson, 84, died of natural causes at his Joplin home on the early morning of Saturday, June 6, 1998. He was diagnosed with lung cancer two years ago.
Cliff was the only son of six children of Gilbert and Mabel (Lewis) Thorson. He was born at Wales, North Dakota on September 8, 1913. Shortly after his birth the family farmhouse burned to the ground, so the Thorsons moved to Montana to a homestead 14 miles north of Joplin. Cliff's early education was at the West Bench country school. He graduated from Joplin High School in 1931, then began college at Northern Montana in Havre. His goal was a degree in forestry, but the Depression squelched his dream; he returned to Joplin to help on the family farm.
Cliff married his childhood sweetheart Lucille Poppler at Havre on February 18, 1938. Soon after, World War II broke out. Cliff contributed to the war effort by working as a chauffeur at McDonald Douglas Aircraft in California, then as a riveter for Boeing Corporation in Seattle, and finally as an airplane mechanic at Gore Hill in Great Falls. They returned to the family farm in 1945. They lived, worked and raised their family in the Joplin community from that time on. They retired from farming in 1980.
Cliff was a life member of the Bethel Lutheran Church in Joplin; he had served on the church council and was also active in the Lutheran Brotherhood. He was a past member of the Joplin School Board, the Joplin Commercial Club, and had served as a Boy Scout leader.
Cliff's hobbies included fishing, hunting and gardening. Years ago he was an active bowler in the men's and mixed leagues. The Thorsons enjoyed playing cards with family and friends. Cliff was especially fond of Pan, Pinochle and Whist. In n his quiet hours Cliff enjoyed reading; he read his Bible faithfully and he also liked to read news publications. He loved poetry and had an exceptional memory, so could easily recite long poems and verses he had learned over the years. Cliff loved his role as a Montana farmer and was content with his life on the Hi-Line. He loved his family, especially Lucille, and remained inseparable from her during their 60 years of married life together.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three children and their spouses including Nancy and Larry Olson of Joplin, Jerry and Gloria Thorson of Joplin, and Candy and Kenny Nelson of Chinook; ten grandchildren, three great-grandchildren. Cliff was preceded in death by his parents; by three sisters (Lillian, Violet and Gladys) and by a grandson (Casey Thorson).
Funeral services were Tuesday, June 9 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Joplin with Rev. Darrell Cousino officiating. Special readings were by Candy Nelson and Windy Young. Debbie Brownlee served as pianist and the congregation sang "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" and "My Life Flows on an Endless Song." Vocalist Jeff Wehr performed "The Wind Beneath My Wings." Ushers were Ellsworth Graff and Tom Wood, Sr. Cliff's six grandsons were his pallbearers. Honorary bearers were "all of his friends." Burial was in the Joplin Cemetery.
Liberty County Times, Chester, MT, 10 June 1998
clifford George Thorson, 84, died of natural causes at his Joplin home on the early morning of Saturday, June 6, 1998. He was diagnosed with lung cancer two years ago.
Cliff was the only son of six children of Gilbert and Mabel (Lewis) Thorson. He was born at Wales, North Dakota on September 8, 1913. Shortly after his birth the family farmhouse burned to the ground, so the Thorsons moved to Montana to a homestead 14 miles north of Joplin. Cliff's early education was at the West Bench country school. He graduated from Joplin High School in 1931, then began college at Northern Montana in Havre. His goal was a degree in forestry, but the Depression squelched his dream; he returned to Joplin to help on the family farm.
Cliff married his childhood sweetheart Lucille Poppler at Havre on February 18, 1938. Soon after, World War II broke out. Cliff contributed to the war effort by working as a chauffeur at McDonald Douglas Aircraft in California, then as a riveter for Boeing Corporation in Seattle, and finally as an airplane mechanic at Gore Hill in Great Falls. They returned to the family farm in 1945. They lived, worked and raised their family in the Joplin community from that time on. They retired from farming in 1980.
Cliff was a life member of the Bethel Lutheran Church in Joplin; he had served on the church council and was also active in the Lutheran Brotherhood. He was a past member of the Joplin School Board, the Joplin Commercial Club, and had served as a Boy Scout leader.
Cliff's hobbies included fishing, hunting and gardening. Years ago he was an active bowler in the men's and mixed leagues. The Thorsons enjoyed playing cards with family and friends. Cliff was especially fond of Pan, Pinochle and Whist. In n his quiet hours Cliff enjoyed reading; he read his Bible faithfully and he also liked to read news publications. He loved poetry and had an exceptional memory, so could easily recite long poems and verses he had learned over the years. Cliff loved his role as a Montana farmer and was content with his life on the Hi-Line. He loved his family, especially Lucille, and remained inseparable from her during their 60 years of married life together.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three children and their spouses including Nancy and Larry Olson of Joplin, Jerry and Gloria Thorson of Joplin, and Candy and Kenny Nelson of Chinook; ten grandchildren, three great-grandchildren. Cliff was preceded in death by his parents; by three sisters (Lillian, Violet and Gladys) and by a grandson (Casey Thorson).
Funeral services were Tuesday, June 9 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Joplin with Rev. Darrell Cousino officiating. Special readings were by Candy Nelson and Windy Young. Debbie Brownlee served as pianist and the congregation sang "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" and "My Life Flows on an Endless Song." Vocalist Jeff Wehr performed "The Wind Beneath My Wings." Ushers were Ellsworth Graff and Tom Wood, Sr. Cliff's six grandsons were his pallbearers. Honorary bearers were "all of his friends." Burial was in the Joplin Cemetery.
clifford George Thorson, 84, died of natural causes at his Joplin home on the early morning of Saturday, June 6, 1998. He was diagnosed with lung cancer two years ago.
Cliff was the only son of six children of Gilbert and Mabel (Lewis) Thorson. He was born at Wales, North Dakota on September 8, 1913. Shortly after his birth the family farmhouse burned to the ground, so the Thorsons moved to Montana to a homestead 14 miles north of Joplin. Cliff's early education was at the West Bench country school. He graduated from Joplin High School in 1931, then began college at Northern Montana in Havre. His goal was a degree in forestry, but the Depression squelched his dream; he returned to Joplin to help on the family farm.
Cliff married his childhood sweetheart Lucille Poppler at Havre on February 18, 1938. Soon after, World War II broke out. Cliff contributed to the war effort by working as a chauffeur at McDonald Douglas Aircraft in California, then as a riveter for Boeing Corporation in Seattle, and finally as an airplane mechanic at Gore Hill in Great Falls. They returned to the family farm in 1945. They lived, worked and raised their family in the Joplin community from that time on. They retired from farming in 1980.
Cliff was a life member of the Bethel Lutheran Church in Joplin; he had served on the church council and was also active in the Lutheran Brotherhood. He was a past member of the Joplin School Board, the Joplin Commercial Club, and had served as a Boy Scout leader.
Cliff's hobbies included fishing, hunting and gardening. Years ago he was an active bowler in the men's and mixed leagues. The Thorsons enjoyed playing cards with family and friends. Cliff was especially fond of Pan, Pinochle and Whist. In n his quiet hours Cliff enjoyed reading; he read his Bible faithfully and he also liked to read news publications. He loved poetry and had an exceptional memory, so could easily recite long poems and verses he had learned over the years. Cliff loved his role as a Montana farmer and was content with his life on the Hi-Line. He loved his family, especially Lucille, and remained inseparable from her during their 60 years of married life together.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three children and their spouses including Nancy and Larry Olson of Joplin, Jerry and Gloria Thorson of Joplin, and Candy and Kenny Nelson of Chinook; ten grandchildren, three great-grandchildren. Cliff was preceded in death by his parents; by three sisters (Lillian, Violet and Gladys) and by a grandson (Casey Thorson).
Funeral services were Tuesday, June 9 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Joplin with Rev. Darrell Cousino officiating. Special readings were by Candy Nelson and Windy Young. Debbie Brownlee served as pianist and the congregation sang "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" and "My Life Flows on an Endless Song." Vocalist Jeff Wehr performed "The Wind Beneath My Wings." Ushers were Ellsworth Graff and Tom Wood, Sr. Cliff's six grandsons were his pallbearers. Honorary bearers were "all of his friends." Burial was in the Joplin Cemetery.
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