Ellen Thorson

1951 - 2025

Ellen Thorson

June 7, 1951 - September 27, 2025

Ellen Jane Thorson, 74, of Augusta, passed away late Saturday evening, September 27, 2025, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire.

Ellen was born June 7, 1951, in Eau Claire, the daughter of James and Gladys (Smith) Thorson. At the age of five, Ellen moved with her parents and brother to their mink farm in the town of Bridge Creek near Lake Eau Claire. There, she enjoyed caring for her two horses and especially loved the many trail rides she took with her friend, Sally Witte.

She attended White Country School and Oak Ridge Country School before graduating from Augusta High School with the Class of 1969. Ellen went on to earn her bachelor's degree from UW–Eau Claire and later her master's degree in social work from UW–Oshkosh. With this degree, she served for several years as a social worker with the Trempealeau County Department of Aging.

Always aspiring to become an attorney, Ellen began taking classes while still working, eventually attending William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul full-time. After graduating, she served as Assistant District Attorney for Chippewa County until her retirement.

During her career, Ellen lived in Chippewa Falls, where she remained devoted to her family, frequently returning home to care for her aging mother. After her mother's passing in 2020, Ellen continued to live in Chippewa Falls for a time before moving back to her hometown of Augusta two years ago.

While in Chippewa Falls, Ellen was an active member of the Kiwanis Club, where she especially looked forward to working at the cheese curd stand each year at the Northern Wisconsin State Fair. She was also a proud member of the Wisconsin State Bar Association.

Ellen loved to travel and in later years, enjoyed extensive trips throughout the United States and Canada with her mother. Those travels weren't just about the places they saw, but about the time spent

together, the laughter they shared, and the special closeness that grew between them.

She also had a lifelong love for animals and provided a good home to many cats and dogs over the years. Throughout her life, Ellen treasured the close friendships she formed in her school days and remained connected to those friends for many years.

Ellen will be deeply missed by her brother, Delton and Joyce Thorson of Augusta; nephew, Kenneth and Luanne Thorson of Sparta; niece, Christina and Joel Cook of Humble, TX; great nephew, Christopher (Jackie) Thorson; 2 great nieces, Alexandria Cook, Madison Rabideau; many cousins; and beloved dogs, Emma and Ethel,

Ellen was preceded in death by her father James on Feb. 6, 1989; and mother Gladys on April 5, 2020.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Augusta, with Pastor Dale Horner officiating. Burial will be in the West Lawn Cemetery in Augusta. Friends may call 2 hours before services, starting at 9 a.m. Saturday at the church. The family is assisted by Anderson Funeral Home in Augusta.

Online condolences can be left at www.andersonfhaugusta.com