Harland Thoen passed away on Tuesday evening, October 16, 2012, at the Johnson Memorial Care Center in Dawson at the age of 91.
Visitation will be Thursday, October 18, from 3-5PM with a prayer service at 4:30PM at the Johnson Memorial Chapel in Dawson.
Funeral service will be 11:00 AM, Friday, October 19, at Grace Lutheran Church in Dawson with Pastor Kendall Stelter officiating. Interment will be in Grace Cemetery.
Harland Ellsworth Thoen was born January 4, 1921 at Dawson, MN the son of Joseph Theodore and Ella (Melde) Thoen. He was baptized and confirmed at Riverside Lutheran Church and graduated from Dawson High School in 1939. He attended one year of school at Augsburg College. Harland served in the US Army from 1942 until 1945. He was united in marriage with Millicent Christianson in 1946 at Lac qui Parle Lutheran Church. He was united in marriage with Gladys Podoll in 1962 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Appleton. Harland worked at Dawson Grain for over 40 years and retired in 1986 after serving as the manager for many years. The city of Dawson honored Gladys and Harland as the Dawson ‘gnomes’ of 2000, recognizing the impact they have jointly had on the community. He was a member of the American Cancer Society, the American Legion and VFW Posts, and served on the Dawson School Board and the Johnson Memorial Hospital Board. Harland was a very active member of Grace Lutheran Church and served as a Sunday School teacher and he sang in the choir. He also enjoyed music, golfing, woodworking and reading.
He is survived by his children: Ann Hegg (Dennis) of Maple Grove, MN, Larry Thoen (Cindy) of Shoreview, MN, and Pam Bertness (Mark) of Apple Valley, MN; 5 grandchildren: Ema Thoen, Kevin Thoen, Molly Thoen, Melissa Bertness and Jennifer Crews (Matt); 3 step-grandchildren: Dawn Schwartz (Jeff), Tammy Waln (Keith) and Debra Eguwe (Daniel); 5 great-grandchildren: Tyson Ziniel, Dylan Thoen, Olive Thoen, and Ava and Logan Steege; 7 step-great grandchildren: Carrie Johnson (Nick), Sarah Schwartz, Kelsey Schwartz, Dylan Waln, Elizabeth Jones, Nicholas Jones and Chloe Jones; 1 step-great-great-grandson, Caleb Johnson; and many cousins and friends.
Preceding him in death were his parents; step-mother, Eva (Bergeland) Thoen; his wives: Millicent and Gladys; and a brother, Kermit Thoen.