Elna Thorson

Elna Thorson, age 89, of Moorhead, MN, formerly Ulen, MN, died Wednesday, January 28, 2015, at Eventide Lutheran Home in Moorhead. Elna Louise Opsahl was born February 3, 1925, a twin daughter of Adolph and Johanna (Bakken) Opsahl near Syre, MN. As a child, Elna was confirmed in the Lutheran Faith. She attended grade school in the Home Lake area then into Twin Valley, graduating from Twin Valley High School with the class of 1944. As a young woman, Elna was employed in various homes caring for sick people or where there had been a new baby born. Over the years, Elna worked as a waitress in Lake Park; was employed in the Lena's Lefse plant in Ulen, as well as being a cook at the Viking Manor Nursing Home for four years. Elna was united in marriage to Eldon Wang on July 2, 1949. The couple made their home west of Ulen where they farmed for 28 years. In 1978, Elna moved to McMinnville, OR. It was while living there that she was employed with A-Dec in Newberg, OR, making everything that goes into a dental office. She worked there for 10 years, retiring in 1987. Elna married Lawrence Thorson on January 2, 1987, in McMinnville, OR. They moved to Cotton Lake and Detroit Lakes before moving to Moorhead due to Lawrence's illness. They enjoyed spending their winters in Mesa, AZ, and traveled throughout the United States as well as Mexico and providences in Canada. Lawrence passed away April 11, 2004. Elna continued living in Moorhead until January of 2014, when she became a resident at Eventide Nursing Home where she resided until the time of her passing. Elna's favorite pastimes included being a homemaker, gardening, crocheting, reading, playing cards, dancing, traveling, and being with friends. Elna made many friends while living in Moorhead that she enjoyed spending time with. She loved her family and treasured the time she spent with them and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Elna is survived by a son, Daniel (Susan) Wang and a daughter, Dianne (Keith) Stumbo all of Ulen; 16 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents; husbands; twin sister, Irene Opheim; brother, Ludwig Opsahl, and a grandson, Tyler Wang. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, February 3, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. in Trinity Lutheran Church, Moorhead. Visitation will be Monday, February 2 from 2:30 to 4:30 with a Prayer Service at 3:30 in Eventide Lutheran Home Chapel. Visitation will also be one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. Officiating will be Pastors Matt Peterson and Steve Streed. Serving as organist will be Andrew Steinberg with Tom Houglum as vocalist. Pallbearers will be Monte Strand, Jarrod Pahl, Steve Wang, Wane Moen, Greg Wang, Lynn Hilde, Loyal Opsahl and Tom Houglum. Honorary pallbearers will be all of Elna's grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Interment will be in Keene Lutheran Cemetery, rural Ulen.

Elna Thorson

February 3, 1925 - January 28, 2015