1925
Maxine
2009
Maxine M. Thorstenson
August 1, 1925 — October 3, 2009
Waukon
Maxine M. Thorstenson, 84, of Waukon, IA, died Saturday, October 3, 2009, at her home in Waukon, with her family at her side after a fifteen month courageous battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held Friday, October 9th, at 11:00 AM at St. John's Lutheran Church in Waukon, with Rev. Lynn G. Groe officiating. Burial will be held in Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may call from 4:00 - 8:00 PM Thursday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon.
Maxine M. Thorstenson was born August 1, 1925, the daughter of Arthur Floyd and H. Louise (Larsen) Leas on their farm in Linton Township rural Allamakee County. She was baptized at Rossville Presbyterian Church on September 20, 1925 and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Waukon on August 11, 1946. Maxine graduated from Normal Training at Waukon High School in 1942. She worked as a hired girl to area families and taught country school at Irish Ridge, Egan and Sixteen schools for several years. On April 14, 1944 she married Floyd Thorstenson at St. John's Lutheran Church parsonage and they farmed together for over 30 years raising dairy cattle, hogs and chickens. They retired from farming in 1976 and spent the winter months in Arizona. Maxine continued to winter in Arizona after Floyd's death in 1997 until 2004.
Maxine and Floyd spent their retirement years traveling throughout the United States seeing 47 of the 50 States including trips to both Hawaii and Alaska. They also made two trips to Europe where they enjoyed touring the Scandinavian countries and 5 countries in Europe. Maxine and Floyd loved dancing and followed the Jerry Gilbertson band and Toe Tappers for many years. She enjoyed playing cards and was an active member of the Golden Girls and the Waterville area Senior Citizens. She also enjoyed her Tuesday morning Arizona breakfasts. Maxine was a long-time member of St. John's Lutheran Church where she was active in circle Bible study.
Survivors include her children, Sharon Kiesau of Lansing, IA, Beverly Thorstenson of Mesa, AZ, Kathryn (Randy) Murphy of Tawas City, MI, and Kenneth (Karla) Thorstenson of Mesa, AZ; 8 grandchildren, Eric Kiesau, Jason Roe, Kari Neuenkirk, Nicole Pickles, Tami Kiesau, Kelly Guoan, Ben Murphy and Kaylee Thorstenson; 10 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers, Allen Leas of Monona, IA and Arvid (Hedy) Leas of Waterville, IA; and a sister, Barbara (Kirk) Mowat of Altoona, IA; and many nieces nephews and cousins. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Floyd; a sister, Delores LaRene Gjefle; a brother, Eldon Leas, infant twin sisters, a son-in-law, Neil Kiesau; 2 sisters-in-law, Delores Leas and Ann Leas; and a brother-in-law, Theodore Gjefle.
Maxine M. Thorstenson was born August 1, 1925, the daughter of Arthur Floyd and H. Louise (Larsen) Leas on their farm in Linton Township rural Allamakee County. She was baptized at Rossville Presbyterian Church on September 20, 1925 and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Waukon on August 11, 1946. Maxine graduated from Normal Training at Waukon High School in 1942. She worked as a hired girl to area families and taught country school at Irish Ridge, Egan and Sixteen schools for several years. On April 14, 1944 she married Floyd Thorstenson at St. John's Lutheran Church parsonage and they farmed together for over 30 years raising dairy cattle, hogs and chickens. They retired from farming in 1976 and spent the winter months in Arizona. Maxine continued to winter in Arizona after Floyd's death in 1997 until 2004.
Maxine and Floyd spent their retirement years traveling throughout the United States seeing 47 of the 50 States including trips to both Hawaii and Alaska. They also made two trips to Europe where they enjoyed touring the Scandinavian countries and 5 countries in Europe. Maxine and Floyd loved dancing and followed the Jerry Gilbertson band and Toe Tappers for many years. She enjoyed playing cards and was an active member of the Golden Girls and the Waterville area Senior Citizens. She also enjoyed her Tuesday morning Arizona breakfasts. Maxine was a long-time member of St. John's Lutheran Church where she was active in circle Bible study.
Survivors include her children, Sharon Kiesau of Lansing, IA, Beverly Thorstenson of Mesa, AZ, Kathryn (Randy) Murphy of Tawas City, MI, and Kenneth (Karla) Thorstenson of Mesa, AZ; 8 grandchildren, Eric Kiesau, Jason Roe, Kari Neuenkirk, Nicole Pickles, Tami Kiesau, Kelly Guoan, Ben Murphy and Kaylee Thorstenson; 10 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers, Allen Leas of Monona, IA and Arvid (Hedy) Leas of Waterville, IA; and a sister, Barbara (Kirk) Mowat of Altoona, IA; and many nieces nephews and cousins. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Floyd; a sister, Delores LaRene Gjefle; a brother, Eldon Leas, infant twin sisters, a son-in-law, Neil Kiesau; 2 sisters-in-law, Delores Leas and Ann Leas; and a brother-in-law, Theodore Gjefle.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Maxine M. Thorstenson, please visit our flower store.
Guestbook
Visits: 0
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors