William Charles Therkelsen

1930 - 2024

William Charles "Bill" Therkelsen, 93, died peacefully on August 20, 2024, Bill was born in Des Moines, Iowa on October 15, 1930 to Eugene Therkel-sen and Irene (Lorenz) Therkelsen. He was a devoted brother to his only sibling, Karen. After graduating from Des Moines Technical High School, Bill joined the U.S. Navy. When he concluded his service in 1953, Bill returned to Des Moines, married Alice Payne, and family life began. In 1953 Bill began working at Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In 1962 he took a job at Magnavox in Fort Wayne, Indiana as a test equipment design manager and production engineer, retiring in 1991 from ITT. In 1966 Bill married Barbara Kettering Muffley and his family grew once again. Bill was married for the last time to Janeth Rose Young of Huntington, Indiana in 1988. Bill saw a lot of the world-Egypt, Greece, Germany, and Denmark. After he retired, Bill and Jan traversed the United States with the Land Cruise travel group, but his favorite place was his cabin in northern Minnesota, where family gathered every summer. Bill is survived by his wife Janeth Rose Therkelsen and his children Dawn (Michael Hogue), Phillip (Kathy Gotto), Jennifer Olson (Craig George), stepdaughter Sherry Muffley, David, and Kelly (Don Mocker); by his grandchildren Kevin (Kim) Hogue, Laura (Lucas) Hartlep, Jillian (Tyler) Vandegrift, Jeremiah Therkelsen, Heather (Jason) Johnston, Matthew George, Morgan (Austin) Stewart, and Jasper Therkelsen; niece Wendy Boosalis Vance, nephew Jim Tyler, brother-in-law, David Tyler; cousins Bette Kasad and Sally Goss; granddaughter-in-law Shana Hogue. Jan's sons Bob (Susie Moats), Brian, Barry (Cheri), Brent (Janis), Brad (Amy) and Bill Young considered Bill their adopted dad, and their children called him Grandpa: Jennifer, Tyler, Ryan; Lyndsay, Andrew; Camarie, Ciera, Carissa, Kendall, Erica, Claire, Josh, Caraghan, Shawn, Samantha, Cassie, Jordan, Ashlyn, Carly, and Callie. Josh Heckelsmiller, Alex Kolhs, Drew Kohls, Trevor Kohls, Skylar Millington, Garrett Closson. His cherished great-grandchildren: Olivia, Shelby, and Ian Hartlep; Ella and Mya Hogue; Tryne and Maisie Vandegrift; Kourtnee, Connor, and Jacksen Johnston; Henry Stewart; and step-great-grandkids: Alexia, Mason, Maddie, Carson, Dakota, Chase, Jackson, Alita, Gwen, Tryson, Lilly, Luca, Callie, Evangeline, Remington, James Anderson, Emerson, and Lilly. Bill's parents Eugene and Irene preceded him in death, as did his beloved sister Karen Ann Tyler and daughter Candace Sue Hudgins. His grandparents and many aunts, uncles, and cousins also passed away before him. A celebration of his life with friends and family will be held September 8, 2024 from 1-4 p.m. at Ceruti's in Fort Wayne. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to honor Bill's life can do so by going to the Arbor Day Foundation to plant trees in his name. Cash memorials will be donated to the American Cancer Society in honor of Bill's sister Karen Therkelsen Tyler. The family wishes to thank everyone at Sage Bluff, Five Star Residences, and Paradigm Health for their compassionate care during Bill's last few weeks. Bill lived a long life, and he was grateful for his good fortune. As he wrote in his memoir, Eugene's Boy: A Life Remembered, "Yes, it's been a good life, and it's been fun, most of the time…. All I know is that we can never know what lies beyond today. We can only live now." To all who knew and loved him, may his memory be a blessing.