Arleen Thorstad

Funeral service for Arleen Geneva (Nodland) Thorstad, 85, of Dickinson will be 10:00 a. m. Wednesday, August 29, 2007 at the Vang Lutheran Church in rural Dunn County, ND with Pastor Tim Voth and Pastor Steve Schou officiating. Burial will follow at the Vang Cemetery. Visitation for Arleen will be from 12:00 a. m. to 9:00 p. m. on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at Stevenson Funeral Home, with a Prayer Services taking place at 7:00 p. m. Arleen passed away Thursday, August 23, 2007 at St. Joseph?s Hospital and Health center in Dickinson. Arleen Geneva Thorstad was born on August 25, 1921, in Dunn County, North Dakota, the firstborn of Gonvald and Louise Nodland. She was baptized at Vang Lutheran Church in September 1921. She attended country school through the eighth grade. She got to school by walking, on horseback, with horse and buggy, and by horse and sleigh in the wintertime. At Vang Church she received her religious teachings and was confirmed in 1936. Growing up on a farm, she was her father?s right hand man. So she learned young how to drive tractor and help with all the farmwork. At age 14 she moved into the town of Werner to attend high school. Strong and capable, she was one of her high school team?s star basketball players. In her senior year she led the girls? basketball team, the Werner Warriors, in scoring, advancing them to the state tournament held in Buffalo, ND. It was the first time Arleen traveled outside Dunn County. In 1939 she graduated from Werner High School and married Edwin Cyril Thorstad. This marriage ended in 1954. To raise her children, she worked as a waitress, hostess, desk clerk, cashier, bookkeeper and auditor in various business places throughout Dickinson, ND. Arleen was an avid basketball and softball fan, watching a wide range of sports events with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren participating and excelling. She enjoyed reading, crewel and embroidery work, playing Scrabble, and crossword puzzles. After retirement, Arleen began a Nodland Family Tree that son Ron and Cousin Alice Darwin continue to research and update. She enjoyed her large family and the annual Nodland Picnics and the bi-annual Thorstad Family Reunions. At the family reunions she was known for her delicious homemade caramel rolls that she baked for breakfast throughout the weeklong reunions. Among her many hobbies, she collected angels. And she collected friends like some women collect recipes. Her genuine love for family and people brought pleasure to her days. And she had a card ministry, making sure her family and friends received cards?whether it was a birthday, wedding, get well, anniversary, sympathy, thinking of you, or ?just because. ?In the fall of 2003 she moved into St. Lukes Home where she enjoyed playing whist and pinochle, participated in Bible study, bingo, and music programs, and continued her card ministry. Arleen was a member of the Living Word Lutheran Brethren Church and was active in various church groups and activities prior to her nursing home stay. For a time she was also a member of Rebekah Lodge. Arleen is survived by 7 children: Gordon (Anita) of Tucson, AZ, Norma Knapp of Alexandria, MN, Jerry of Dickinson, ND, Ronald (Cynthia Campbell) of Denver, CO, Allan of Dickinson, ND, Michael of Dickinson, ND, and Lyman (Patty) Larson of Boise, ID; son-in-law Fred Snyder (Karen Taylor) of Hurricane, WV; 16 grandchildren and over 30 great grandchildren. Also surviving are 4 sisters: Grace (Ben) Zastoupil of Dickinson, ND, Florence (Gordon) Kucera of Bismarck, ND, Marles (Herbert) Tschaekofske of Bismarck, ND, Rose Marie (Glenn) Nickel of Dickinson, ND, a brother George (Kayleen) Nodland of Dickinson, ND, aunt Ruby (Paul) Paulson of Dickinson, ND, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Evelyn (Evie) Snyder, a sister, Rosella Hauck and numerous uncles and aunts. The family suggest memorials be given to the Living Word Fellowship of Lutheran Brethren Church, Dickinson, ND?for its new building fund. ***The Vang Lutheran Church is located 11 miles east of Manning, ND and 2 miles north.


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Burial Date: August 29, 2007
Funeral Home Killdeer, ND

Funeral Service: Wednesday: Vang Lutheran Church, Rural Dunn County, ND