Ole Alfred Thostenson was born in Sandnes Township, Yellow Medicine County,
Minnesota, December 10, 1889, to the pioneer homesteaders Tosten Tostenson and
his wife Mrs. Margit Bestland Tostenson. Baptized by Rev. Knute Thorstenson and
confirmed by Rev. Runsvold, he was a lifetime member of Yellow Medicine Lutheran
Church, Hanley Falls.
One of 15 children, Ole Thostenson was a true "man of the soil". He farmed south
of Hanley Falls on his father's homestead for more than 50 years, moving to
Granite Falls in 1950. His formal education was limited to a few years in
District No. 10 where he later served as school treasurer for many years, but
his great store of practical knowledge, his remarkable memory of family and
community history was unlimited. On December 31, 1917, he was united in marriage
to Miss Anna Trovatten by Rev. O.T. Storaasli at Spring Creek Lutheran Church.
They had six children.
After a long illness he passed away at his home in Granite Falls, October 21,
1958, at the age of 68 years.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Anna Thostenson, five children: Helen (Mrs.
Paul E. Jones) of Aurora, Minnesota, Altan of Seattle, Washington, Mrs. Kathleen
Ward of Granite Falls, Hiram of Hanley Falls, Barbara (Mrs. John W. Caldwell) of
San Francisco, California. One son, Thorborn, the oldest son, was killed in
action on Iwo Jima during World War II. Also surviving are 11 grandchildren and
six sisters: Mrs. Bertina Johnson of Wood Lake, Mrs. Julia Austin of Hanley
Falls, Mrs. Gertrude Thorson of Jamestown, North Dakota, Miss Annie Thostenson
of Hanley Falls, Mrs. Louise Bredrickson of Fargo, North Dakota, and Minnie
(Mrs. A.M. Anderson) of Granite Falls.

Ole Alfred Thostenson was born in Sandnes Township, Yellow Medicine County,
Minnesota, December 10, 1889, to the pioneer homesteaders Tosten Tostenson and
his wife Mrs. Margit Bestland Tostenson. Baptized by Rev. Knute Thorstenson and
confirmed by Rev. Runsvold, he was a lifetime member of Yellow Medicine Lutheran
Church, Hanley Falls.
One of 15 children, Ole Thostenson was a true "man of the soil". He farmed south
of Hanley Falls on his father's homestead for more than 50 years, moving to
Granite Falls in 1950. His formal education was limited to a few years in
District No. 10 where he later served as school treasurer for many years, but
his great store of practical knowledge, his remarkable memory of family and
community history was unlimited. On December 31, 1917, he was united in marriage
to Miss Anna Trovatten by Rev. O.T. Storaasli at Spring Creek Lutheran Church.
They had six children.
After a long illness he passed away at his home in Granite Falls, October 21,
1958, at the age of 68 years.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Anna Thostenson, five children: Helen (Mrs.
Paul E. Jones) of Aurora, Minnesota, Altan of Seattle, Washington, Mrs. Kathleen
Ward of Granite Falls, Hiram of Hanley Falls, Barbara (Mrs. John W. Caldwell) of
San Francisco, California. One son, Thorborn, the oldest son, was killed in
action on Iwo Jima during World War II. Also surviving are 11 grandchildren and
six sisters: Mrs. Bertina Johnson of Wood Lake, Mrs. Julia Austin of Hanley
Falls, Mrs. Gertrude Thorson of Jamestown, North Dakota, Miss Annie Thostenson
of Hanley Falls, Mrs. Louise Bredrickson of Fargo, North Dakota, and Minnie
(Mrs. A.M. Anderson) of Granite Falls.