Charles C. Thor

Obituary

Charles Clarence Thor “Charlie” was born May 8, 1914, on the home farm in Oneka Township, Washington County, Minnesota, to Swan John and Anna (Johnson) Thor. He was baptized on December 12, 1917, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Stillwater, Minnesota, and confirmed his faith there on May 20, 1928.  Charlie attended country school, District 40, starting a year early (for that era) at age 5 through the seventh grade. He passed some of the required state boards in 5^th grade and the rest in 7^th grade, thus skipping 8^th grade. In 1929, he attended one winter term at the University of Minnesota Farm School. Charlie farmed with his father and only brother, Walter.

On December 19, 1942, Charlie married Harriet Anita Knutson at University Lutheran Church of Hope in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They shared over 76 years of marriage and were blessed with four children, Constance Jo, Lorelie Anita, Rosanna Jean, and Vernon Charles.

Charlie and Harriet farmed on the home farm at Stillwater until March 1961, when they moved to the Oakwood Farm near Cosmos. In 1965 they moved to Hutchinson where they started a machine shop, Custom Made Equipment. Charlie was an accomplished welder, repairing farm machinery, and inventing equipment. The Minnesota Inventors Congress awarded him a grand prize for his hydraulic hitch creation. He enjoyed immensely his trips delivering the snow blowers he manufactured to customers in Minnesota and other states. His work was never just work for him, it was his hobby. Laughing and joking with his customers made his day. Playing Scrabble with Harriet in the evenings was a tradition for many years. Reading books, magazines, and the daily Minneapolis Star/Tribune brought great pleasure to him until his eyesight failed. Visiting with friends and the morning coffee crowd at Cash Wise were highlights for him. Charlie was a faithful member of Faith Lutheran Church in Hutchinson since 1965. In April of 2013, Charlie entered Harmony River Living Center due to health problems. He was the most grateful person for the loving care given to him by the wonderful staff. His philosophy in life was respect of his fellow man and gratitude for a full life.  

Charlie passed away at the age of 105 years and 13 days on Thursday, May 23, 2019, at Harmony River Living Center. Blessed be his memory.

Charlie is survived by his:
Wife of 76 years, Harriet Thor of Hutchinson, MN;
Daughters, Constance Dallmann and her husband, Kenneth, of Cosmos, MN,
                     Lorelie Davis and her husband, John, of Prior Lake, MN,
                    Rosanna Roedder and her husband, Ulrich, of Lakeville, MN,
Son, Vernon Haugen Thor and his wife, Turid, of Kløfta, Norway;
Grandchildren: Davin (Andrea) Dallmann, Barbara Ramgren, Sara (Jeff) Murphy, Alexander Haugen Thor, and Jenny Haugen Thor;
Great-Grandchildren: Mitchell (Kellie) Ramgren, Erik Ramgren, Abigail Dallmann, Michael Dallmann, Declan Murphy, and Greta                Murphy;
Great-Great-Grandchildren: Autumn Lothert and Averie Ramgren;
Many other relatives and friends.

Charlie was preceded in death by his Parents, John and Anna Thor; Brother, Walter Thor and his wife, Florence; Brother-in-law and Sister-in-law, Alex and Myrtle Johnson; and by his Parents-in-law, Andrew and Hilda Knutson.