1926 - 2024
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Herman Thorsen on Sunday, June 2 2024 at Innisfail, Alberta, at the age of 97 years.
Herman was born on the family farm near Markerville, Alberta, the seventh of eight children. He received his early education at Tindastol and Dickson, Alberta. At an early age he bought himself a tractor and front-end loader and sold gravel from his quarter section he had purchased. In 1950 he joined the Army and served in Korea for eighteen months with the 2nd Battalion PPCLI, which he fought in the Battle of Kapyong. After the war he did seismic work, trucked at Lesser Slave Lake and hauled gravel for road building around Innisfail. He formed a Sheetmetal and Plumbing business after completing his Sheet Metal apprenticeship. He worked at the Bowden Institution and was a parts man for both Lundgren Motors and National Oilwell.
In 1964 he married Sheila Johnson, the local health nurse. They adopted two children and fostered five over the years, one being Jason Spence, who became like a second son. Herman loved being with the youth and was involved in driving kids to tournaments for the local swim club and ball teams when he was a young man. He was a Scout leader as well and taught many kids woodworking at his home and at Norwegian Culture Camp. Herman loved making clocks and gave over four hundred away. He also loved watching the local kids play hockey and would spend countless hours watching them.
Herman will be lovingly remembered by his wife of fifty-nine years, Sheila, his son, Vernon, his daughter, Sandie, and fostered son, Jason Spence (Gay), as well as his four grandchildren, Brea Desnoyer (Tyler), Keira Bryant, Brayden Spence, and Taras Spence (Krista).
He was predeceased by his parents, Louis and Sophia Thorsen, his siblings, Eric Thorsen, Signe Atkinson, Inga Miller, Marie Samuel, Louis Thorsen, Helen Law and Elsie Daly.
A Celebration of Herman’s Life was held at the Innisfail United Church, Innisfail, Alberta on June 7, 2024. If desired, Memorial Donations in Herman's honor may be made to Innisfail Minor Hockey Association at PO Box 6028, Innisfail, Alberta, T4G 1S7 or to Scouts Canada at www.scouts.ca.
Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com. Arrangements in care of: Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., 4415 – 49 Street, Innisfail, Alberta. Phone: 403.227.0006
