Jerome Gregory Thorsen

Jerome Gregory Thorsen was born June 29, 1952, in Detroit Lakes, MN, to Gordon and Joan (Fevig) Thorsen. He died August 3^rd, 2019, in Fargo, ND. He was the oldest of eight children. His parents farmed in Atlanta Township until 1957 when Gordon’s new job at Erie Mining on the Iron Range took the family to Hoyt Lakes. “Hoyt Lakes was a kid’s paradise,” according to Jerome. There were many children to play with and the lakes, forests, and hills provided endless outdoor entertainment. He carried that love of activity into his adult life through bowling (nickname “Flamer”), softball (nickname “Hammer”), broomball (nickname “Thor”), card games, and golf. Every summer of his youth was spent on family farms in the Ulen/Lake Park area.

Jerome graduated from Aurora-Hoyt Lakes High School in 1970 and served in the U.S. Army from 1971-1974 as a helicopter crew chief in Mainz, Germany. After his service, he attended Moorhead State University with a cadre of other Iron Rangers, graduating with a degree in business administration in 1978. While in school, he worked as a dispatcher for Clay County. During that time his cousin, Jack Burkel, was instrumental in helping Jerome consider a full-time career in law enforcement.

Law enforcement was a great career fit for Jerome as he worked for both the City of Moorhead and then Clay County. He was a very non-judgmental person, believing there are few bad people, just good people who need help or make a bad decision. He served as a patrol officer, juvenile officer, detective, and lieutenant, ending his career as Chief Deputy for Clay County in 2008 after a 32-year career. Never one to sit still, after retirement he co-owned ASPEN of MN/ND with partner Craig Baker, got back on the tractor harvesting beets for Dan Rosenfeldt, and volunteered with the Salvation Army and the Cormorant Lions.

It was at college in German class where he met Teri Litherland. They married in 1976 and began a 42-year adventure helping each other live their dreams. He was Teri’s best friend, co-parent, travel partner, and biggest cheerleader. Together, they raised two sons, Tyler and Hunter. Parenting was their most rewarding endeavor together. He got to dance at both sons’ weddings and welcomed a grandson in April. Jerome and Teri realized a decades-long goal when they moved to Lake Ida in Cormorant Township in 2016.

Jerome is survived by his wife, Teri; sons, Tyler (Anna Decatur) Thorsen, Minneapolis, Hunter (Lindsay Thompson) Thorsen, Moorhead; grandson, Per Thorsen, Minneapolis; sisters, Verlayne (Alton) Bennett, Woodbury, and Ruth Thuringer, Virginia; brothers, Craig Thorsen, Kailua-kona, Hawaii, Peter (Michelle) Thorsen, Hoyt Lakes, Jens (Melinda) Thorsen, Shakopee, and Steven Boutang, Virginia. He loved spending time with his many cousins, nieces and nephews. Jerome was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Nels Thorsen.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, August 12, at 1:00 pm at Trinity Lutheran Church, Moorhead, MN. Visitation will be Sunday, August 11, from 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M., with a prayer service beginning at 5:30 P.M., at Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN.  Golf or casual attire encouraged at both.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Hospice of the Red River Valley or spend time with a child, teaching them to read, play ball, play cards, bowl, golf, skate, or fish.