JoAnn Estelle Thorson was born on October 9th, 1935 in Mitchell, SD, the daughter of Wayne and Mabel (Taylor) Goss. She grew up in a family still recovering from the depression and attended several schools during her early childhood. In 1948 fate finally smiled on them and she was able to attend the same school for 5 years graduating from Mt. Vernon High School in 1953.

After graduation, she worked at the local grocery store as a cashier until she was offered a job by Dr. Hvam at the Quinn hospital. She crossed the Missouri River for the first time on her move to Quinn and then drew on her experience of moving around as a child to quickly make lifelong friends. Soon a young man named Lauren Thorson thought she was so pretty that it was worth it to keep getting put into the hospital. They were united in marriage on September 3, 1955 in Rapid City, SD and shared the next 50 years together.

They lived on a ranch northwest of Philip where JoAnn spent time helping on the ranch and raising six children. When the children were old enough to care for themselves and help with making the house a home she re-joined the workforce at the Wall Drug Store as a clerk from 1986 to 2000.

JoAnn was a former member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Grindstone and a current member of First Lutheran Church of Philip. She was also active in the Grindstone Women’s Club. JoAnn enjoyed sewing, reading, laughing with her sisters, and dedicated many hours to her garden but her first love was always in raising her children and later on spending time with her grandchildren. JoAnn also enjoyed visiting and attended numerous functions just for the joy of visiting with people.

Grateful for having shared her life are two sons: Rick Thorson and his wife Selma of Philip, and Doug Thorson and his wife Nancy of Quinn; three daughters: Laurie Dale of Amarillo, Texas; Linda Thorson of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, and Rhonda Thorson of Saint Paul, Minnesota; 10 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; one brother Dean Goss and his wife Charlotte of Rapid City; and one sister Diane Derr of Lincoln, Nebraska; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives.

JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Lauren Thorson; one son Don Thorson; one brother Dan Goss; one sister Margo Thorson; one son-in-law Mike Dale.

Funeral Services were held 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 9, 2015, at the United Church in Philip, with Pastor Kathy Chesney officiating.

Visitation was held 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 8, 2015, at the Rush Funeral Chapel in Philip.

Interment was at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.

FUNERAL SERVICES
Saturday, May 9, 2015 - 10:00 a.m.
United Church
Philip, South Dakota
CLERGY
Pastor Kathy Chesney
MUSIC
Sally Jankord - Pianist
Marcus Martinez - Vocalist
Crystal Eisenbraun - Vocalist
“Homesick”
“Help Pour Out The Rain”
Congregational Hymn
“Rock of Ages”
USHERS
John Knutson - Glen Radway
PALLBEARERS
Bill Gottsleben - Paul Slovek
Kieth Smith - Bob Thorson
Gus Lutjens - Earl Parsons
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
Nursing Staff at Philip Health Services and
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance
INTERMENT
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota