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Funeral services will take place on Friday, August 18, 2023 at 10:00 AM (Mountain).

Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota

Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota
Visitation will be held from 4-6 p.m. Friday, November 11, at Rush Funeral Home in Philip.



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In memory of

Corwin "Corky" Thorson

of Philip, South Dakota, died on Thursday, November 3, 2022 at Scotchman Living Center in Philip at the age of 84

Corwin "Corky" Joseph Thorson was born on March 12, 1938, in Philip, South Dakota, to Joseph and Cora (Hovey) Thorson. He grew up about 17 miles northwest of Philip in the Grindstone area and went to grade school at Alfalfa Valley. Some of his teachers at Alfalfa Valley included Jim Gottsleben, Esther Knutson, Marjorie Kiel, Anna Belle Stevens, Veronica White, Mayme Beaton, and his sister, Mildred Thorson. Corky then attended high school in Philip where he stayed with various widows who took in several children and furnished food and board during the week. He would go back home for the weekends. Corky tried out for basketball and football but did not care for either. Growing up Corky helped his dad mow and stack hay with horses as well as planting and harvesting oats, wheat, corn, and barley.

Corky went into the Army in October 1956 after training in Arkansas and Virginia. He then served in Korea for 14 months. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1958 and returned to Philip at that time.

In early 1959 he moved to Milwaukee and got a job with a construction company. It was there that he met his future wife, Carolyn (Piotter). They were married in Manawa, Wisconsin in 1961, and to this union Roger, Boyd, and Diane were born. They bought a house and moved back to Philip. At that time Hans Hanson put him to work as a meat cutter for Hanson’s SuperValu where he continued to work for many years.

In 1970 Carolyn and him divorced. He then married Margo Lutjens in 1974. Margo passed away in 1994 from cancer. Corky then married Zoni Gittings in 1995.

Corky purchased the grocery store from Hans and Velma Hanson in 1986 and later sold the store to Ronnie and Dawn Coyle in 2002.

In Corky’s retirement he continued to work 8-10 hours weekly at the grocery store. He also drove the community minibus on Thursdays. Corky enjoyed bowling, golf, and occasional card games. Corky also enjoyed working in the outdoors and keeping his yard green during the summer. He was a member of the American Legion, Chamber of Commerce, and First Lutheran Church, all of Philip.

Survivors include his wife Zoni of Philip; sons Roger Thorson and his wife Dallys of Champaign, IL, and Boyd Thorson of Philip; daughter Diane (Pat) Rensch of Rapid City; step-sons Gus (Jody) Lutjens of Sisseton and Jody Gittings of Philip; step-daughters Dawn (Ronnie) Coyle of Philip and Julie Neugebauer (Bill Adams) of Council Bluffs, Iowa; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister Janice (Bart) Parsons of Milesville; sisters-in-law Phillis Thorson of Spearfish and Jan Riggins of Aberdeen; and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Leonard and Lauren Thorson; step-son Jamie Gittings; and sisters Maxine "Mick" O'Reilly and Mildred Radway.

Cards and memorials may be sent to P.O. Box 726 Philip, SD 57567.

Visitation will be held from 4-6 p.m. Friday, November 11, at Rush Funeral Home in Philip.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 12, at First Lutheran Church in Philip with Pastor Cindy Bisser officiating.

Graveside services with military honors will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 18, at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.



VISITATION
Friday, November 11, 2022 - 4-6 p.m.
Rush Funeral Home
Philip, South Dakota

FUNERAL SERVICE
Saturday, November 12, 2022 - 2:00 p.m.
First Lutheran Church
Philip, South Dakota

CLERGY
Pastor Cindy Bisser

MUSIC
Marilyn Millage - Pianist
Congregational Hymns
“Amazing Grace” #448
“Just As I Am” #296
“Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me” #333

USHERS
Milo Zeeb - Beaver Scott

PALLBEARERS
Bill Thorson - Ron Coyle - Jerry Ingram
Marty Hansen - Jack Heinz - Mike Seager

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

GRAVESIDE SERVICE
Friday, August 18, 2023 - 10:00 a.m.
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota

  • THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE ~ A VETERAN (8/17/2023)
  • My heart and love are with you Zoni and the rest of the family as you go through this difficult time. ~ Bonnie Reitan Lewistown, Montana (11/12/2022)
  • So sorry to hear of Corky's passing. Special prayers for all his family and friends. ~ Ann Cvach Midland, SD (11/9/2022)
  • Roger, Boyd, and Diane,
    I babysat the 3 of you when I was in high school. Your mom worked at Boeing and dad at Hansen's. I have fond memories of that time and was sorry to see your sweet dad is gone. Hugs and prayers for each of you! He was a good man!     ~ Becky (Vos) Cheyenne, Wy (11/8/2022)
  • I was saddened to hear that Corky had passed, but understand that these last few months have been a trial for him and his family. I was happy to help serve his meals occasionally at the nursing home, but understood his frustration at being there. It was hard for someone that enjoyed being active for so long! Years ago, Corky asked me to take over planting and maintaining the flower beds at the golf course. He advised me how he had handled them (for years) and I gave it a go. They never looked as nice as his did. When the course decided to get rid of a few perennials and replace them with rock gardens, it bothered Corky to see a handful of peony plants sitting on the rubble pile after they were torn out. He told me one afternoon (they had been there several days) that I should take them home and try to salvage them. So I did. The next spring he asked me if they survived the winter, they had. He was so glad! He asked me nearly every spring/summer if they were okay, were they blooming? It showed me how gentle he was. I appreciated his smile and his kind word. His knowledge of his family genealogy was to be admired, I watched him spend hours in the public library researching it while I was there helping with the library remodel. He was a kind soul and I send my family's sincerest sympathies to all his family and friends. He will be missed! ~ Vonda Hamill Milesville, SD (11/8/2022)
  • I am so sorry to hear of Corky's passing. He was such a great guy and a very nice employer. His smile could light up any room he was in. Corky was a very hard worker and as the owner/manager of the grocery store, he didn't expect his employees to do something that he wouldn't do himself and to me that says a lot about someone. Corky will be dearly missed. ~ Ellie Bettelyoun Martin, SD (11/7/2022)
  • Corky was a very special guy, always had a great smile and hello when you met him. Hold on to all the memories. ~ Les & Joann Pearson Philip, SD (11/7/2022)
  • So sad to read of Corky's passing. I, like so many others, have many great memories of him at the grocery store. My deepest sympathy to his family. May his gentle soul rest in peace. ~ Karen Webb Rapid City, SD (11/5/2022)
  • Corky's heart was as big as his smile. I always enjoyed golfing with him. Never hurt him speak a unkind word about anyone. ~ Walt Schaefer Franklin Tennessee (11/5/2022)
  • We will miss Corky, what a friend he was to both of us ever since we moved to Philip in 1992 and continued even after we left in 2005. Always made you feel special, fun times will definitely be remembered (especially on the golf course). Blessings to his family at this sad time. ~ Dave & Cheryl Dick Huron, SD (11/4/2022)
  • I will forever remember taking bunnies into the nursing home and him sitting in a chair petting and loving on that bunny. He'd look up and smile and then go back to loving on the bunny! Hugs and prayers to all of you! I hope you hold onto the happy memories and remember him like I'm going to...with a smile :) ~ Jess Smith (11/4/2022)
  • So Sorry to read the community of Philip, has Lost a Great Person like Corky. He always greeted one with a smile & appreciated seeing You. Our sympathies to his Family & Zoni. ~ Kathy S.& Jerry Noteboom 21309 Cabin Rd. (11/4/2022)