Andrew Joseph Thurn

Obituary

Andrew Joseph Thurn was born on March 3, 1941, in Lester Prairie, Minnesota. He was the son of Walter Valentine and Theresa Wilhelmina (Minnie) (Bayerl) Thurn. Andrew was baptized and confirmed in his faith at St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Glencoe, Minnesota. He attended St. Peter & Paul Parochial School in Glencoe thru the 8^th grade and graduated with the Glencoe High School Class of 1960.

Andrew entered active military service in the United States Army on November 21, 1963, and was stationed in Germany for 17 months.  He received an Honorable Discharge on November 1, 1965.

On August 19, 1967, Andrew was united in marriage to Irene Nowak at St. Adalbert’s Catholic Church in Silver Lake. The couple lived in Hutchinson for two years and then purchased a home in Glencoe. They lived in Glencoe for many years.  Andrew and Irene were blessed with two sons, Brian and Robert. Andrew and Irene shared almost 52 years of marriage until Irene passed away on August 11, 2019.

Andrew worked for the Glencoe Greenhouse before his military service. Then he worked for Murphy Motor Freight a trucking company for 20 years, and Plato Woodwork in Plato for 24 years retiring in 2009.  Andrew worked part-time for the City of Glencoe at the compost sight.  He was a faithful member of Church of St. Pius X in Glencoe, serving the church as an usher, Eucharist Minister, and on the church board.  Andrew was also a member of the 3^rd Degree Knights of Columbus serving as Grand Knight for 1 year and a faithful member of the 4^th Degree Knights of Columbus, serving as a Navigator for 1 year.  He was involved with many Knights of Columbus projects thru the years.  Andrew enjoyed being a volunteer conductor on the “Friends of the 261” steam train excursions here in Minnesota.

Andrew enjoyed antique tractors and antique cars.  He owned a 1950 Packard and a 1936 Minneapolis Moline. He loved attending antique tractor and antique car shows. Andrew treasured the time he spent with his family and friends.

When Andrew needed assistance with his daily care following the onset of dementia, he entered The Gardens at Winsted Assisted Living in Winsted, Minnesota, on December 27, 2021, and passed away there on Sunday, April 23, 2023, at the age of 82 years. Blessed be his memory.

Andrew is survived by his:
Sons, Brian Thurn of Roseville, CA,
          Robert Thurn of Glencoe, MN;
Sister, Mary Wirtz of Tucson, AZ;
Brother, Francis Thurn and his wife, Marie;
Brother-in-law, Bruce Jacobson;
Other relatives and friends.

Andrew was preceded in death by his Parents, Walter Valentine and Theresa Wilhelmina Thurn; Wife, Irene Thurn; Brother, Louis Thurn and his wife, Delores; Sisters, Martha Ewer and her husband, Wally, Lucy Jacobson, Theresa Janke and her husband, Jim; Brother-in-law, Matt Wirtz.