Ernest Oliver Thorsgard

Burial record:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/91702332/ernest-oliver-thorsgard

Dr. Ernest Thorsgard, 88, of Thief River Falls, MN died on Thursday, June 7, 2012 at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND.

Funeral services will be 10 AM, Monday, June 11, 2012 at Zion Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. Ale Tulu and Rev. John Golv officiating. Burial will be 2:30 PM, Monday at the South Cemetery, Northwood, ND.

Visitation will be 4-7 PM, Sunday, June 10, 2012 at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls, MN, with a 6 PM prayer service and also for one hour prior to the service at the church, Monday.

Ernest Oliver was born on September 6, 1923 to Knut Engebretson and Anna Katherine (Flisrand) Thorsgard on a farm near Northwood, ND the oldest of six children. He was baptized and confirmed at the Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Northwood.

He grew up at Northwood, ND and attended Augsburg College in the Twin Cities. During WW II, he was sent home to work on the farm in southwest Grand Forks County. It was during that time he got to know Ina May Sundquist, the love of his life and Superintendent of nurses at the local hospital. They were married on June 26, 1953 in Aneta, ND. With rekindled enthusiasm, Thorsgard resumed his education at the University of North Dakota.

At Vanderbilt University Medical School in Nashville, he earned his MD, graduating in 1957. Dr. Thorsgard completed his internship at Hennepin County General Hospital. Ernest dedicated a year of his life to serve as a medical missionary to New Guinea. The entire remainder of his family medicine practice was conducted in Thief River Falls, MN. He has delivered hundreds of babies and helped many people and families in their time of need. He served as Pennington County Coroner for many years. Dr. Ernest Thorsgard retired from practice on June 17, 1988 after thirty years in medicine.

Dr. Thorsgard's enthusiasms in this life were for Christ's great commission and for his family. Ernest was fond of animals and raised and trained Tennessee Walkers at his farm north of Thief River Falls. Ernest, Ernie, Dad, Doc, Grandpa, Lefty, enjoyed poetry and always had an appropriate verse to recite. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and enjoyed the Friday morning Men’s breakfast. He also belonged to the Kiwanis, Golden Pioneers, and Sons of Norway.

He is survived by his wife Ina, Thief River Falls, MN, three children: Dr. Knute (Nancy) Thorsgard, Detroit Lakes, MN, Dr. Eric (Gerri) Thorsgard, Bemidji, MN, and Kyja (Daniel Wold) Thorsgard, Denver, CO, nine grandchildren: Dr. Marit (Kevin) Thorsgard Spaeth, Minneapolis, MN, Kai (Harmony Shore) Thorsgard, Missoula, MT, Greta (Mox Gunderson) Thorsgard, St. Paul, MN, Annelise Thorsgard, Minneapolis, MN, Torin Thorsgard, Denver, CO, Tragg Thorsgard, Haakan Thorsgard, Brekt Thorsgard, Aksel Thorsgard all at home in Bemidji, MN, two great grandchildren, Annika Spaeth and Leif Thorsgard, one brother Lloyd (Judy) Thorsgard, Northwood, ND, three sisters: Mildred Strand, Remer, MN, Kathryn (Wendell) Erickson, Hills, MN, Ruth (Rev. Don) Homme, Vergas, MN, and many nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother Kenneth Thorsgard.

ORGANIST: Phyllis Dalager SOLOIST: Gary Johnson “The Lord’s Prayer” CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: How Great Thou Art, Borning Cry, The Lord is My Shepherd RECORDED EXIT HYMN: “O Brother Let’s Go Down” by Alison Krauss CASKET BEARERS: Grandchildren http://www.johnsonfuneralservice.com/memsol.cgi?user_id=647457