Orville Thoreson

Orville M. Thoreson, Hillsboro, North Dakota, died on Sunday, July 24, 2016 at Sanford Palliative Care in Fargo. Orville, the son of Swen and Mabel Thoreson, was born in Mayville, ND, on August 20, 1919. Orville grew up on a farm between Mayville and Buxton, ND. He graduated from Buxton High School in May of 1937. In 1939, he graduated from Dakota Business College (DBC) after completing the courses of accounting and banking. Following graduation from DBC, he began working as a bookkeeper for a creamery in Rugby, ND. Orville reported for military service at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, on March 24, 1942. On April 1, 1943, he was commissioned a second lieutenant at Camp Hood, Texas. He received his commission as a first lieutenant in December of 1943 and was discharged from active duty as a captain in March of 1946. Before being shipped overseas to the Pacific theater of war, he served at several military posts within the United States. As an officer with the XXIV Corps Artillery he participated in the overseas campaigns which liberated the southern Philippines and Ryukyu Islands (Okinawa). He received several decorations including the Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal with 2 bronze stars and the Philippine Liberation Medal. In April of 1943, Orville married Lileas P. Kjos of Mayville, ND. In 1946, Orville began working for Alsaker Implement of Hillsboro, ND. In July of 1961, Alsaker Implement incorporated as Hillsboro Equipment, Inc. At that time, Orville became one of the officers and stockholders of the business. The business was dissolved in 1985. Orville was an active and generous member of the Hillsboro community. He was a director of what is now known as the Wells Fargo Bank of Hillsboro for 22 years. He has been a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church since the late 1940’s. He was a past president of the Hillsboro Civic and Commerce, past commander of the American Legion Post #4, and past Master of the Hillsboro Masonic Lodge. Orville was preceded in death by his parents Swen and Mabel, his wife Lileas, his sisters Mildred Blood and Doris Tollefsrud and his good friend Verle Muir. He is succeeded by his only child Guy (Pat) of Moorhead, his grandsons Erik (Jessica) and their daughters Alice, Heidi, and Enid; Matthew and his daughter Ariana. Funeral Service: 11 AM Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Hillsboro, ND Visitation: one hour prior to the service in the church Burial: Riverside Cemetery in Hillsboro