Thief River Falls – John Wyatt Thorstad was born on June 21, 1933, on the family farm in Sanders Township, rural Thief River Falls. After graduating from Lincoln High School in 1952, he enlisted in the United States Army and served from 1953-1955. After being honorably discharged from the Army, John started working for the City of Thief River Falls Water Treatment Plant where he worked for approximately 12 years. Electing to change careers, he started and retired from “Intercity Gas Company” which is now “Minnesota Energy Resources.”
On October 20, 1956, John was united in marriage with the “love of his life,” Millie Eggerud at First Lutheran Church in Lancaster. The couple made their home in Thief River Falls and to this union three children were born, Diane, Mark, and Danny.
John was a warm, caring man with a quick wit and a great sense of humor. He dedicated his life to being a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. John’s love and commitment to his family was unwavering and it inspired respect and admiration from his children and grandchildren. His love and devotion to his wife, Millie, was a great example of marriage for his family to follow and strive for. He took great pride in his family, never missing a chance to get together or pick up the phone to call and chat. Although he loved to visit, John stayed busy with yard work, gardening, and other projects. Usually, these projects would start after a purchase at a rummage sale or finding something he could see potential in that others may have overlooked. John had a strong work ethic and was the epitome of the phrase “measure twice and cut once,” known for his attention to detail and penchant to get things right the first time.
As we mourn his loss, we have found comfort in a paragraph from Mitch Albom’s book, Tuesdays with Morrie, which reads “As long as we can love each other, and remember the feeling of love we had, we can die without ever really going away. All the love you created is still there. All the memories are still there. You live on in the hearts of everyone you have touched and nurtured while you were here.”
John is now reunited with his beloved wife, Millie; his son, Danny; and other relatives and friends in heaven. Although he is gone, the love he created and lives he touched will live on in all those fortunate enough to know him.
Survivors include: children, Diane (Duane) Gonsorowski, Mark (Kathleen) Thorstad; daughter-in-law, Mary Thorstad; grandchildren, Paul (Jackie) Gonsorowski, Jennifer (Christopher) Restad, Mauri (Anthony) Roy, Cori (Doug) Melby, Kelly (Brett) Lien, Jessica (Bradley) Sustad, Benjamin (Taylor) Thorstad; great-grandchildren, Gannon and Easton Gonsorowski, Gunner and Reagan Restad, Levi, Emmitt and Ivan Roy, Mya and Everly Melby, Cohen, Tor and Troien Lien, Amarah Sustad, Brielle and Maddison Thorstad; second daughter, Janet Ehrenstrom; sister, Iva Hayes; brother, Bert Thorstad; sister-in-law, Edna Thorstad; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Bert Sr. and Myrtle; wife, Millie; son, Danny; brothers, James and Herbert; sisters, Merilla Swenson, Mylis Jennings and Beth Scholin.
John Thorstad died Saturday, October 29, 2022, at Oakland Park Communities in Thief River Falls at the age of 89 years, 4 months and 8 days. May his memory be blessed.
The service to celebrate John’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 4, 2022, at Johnson Funeral Service Chapel, Thief River Falls.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Friday, November 4, 2022, at Johnson Funeral Service Chapel, Thief River Falls.
Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls.
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