Dorene Sue Thorson

Dorene Sue Thorson obituary, Altoona, IA

Dorene Sue Thorson

Dorene Thorson Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on May 17, 2015.
Dorene Sue Thorson, 58, of Altoona died May 17, 2015, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. Funeral services are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 23rd at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Ankeny with Bishop Pat Bishop officiating. Organist will be Debbie Hadden and chorister will be Janet Clawson. Pallbearers will be Bishop Pat Bishop, Jeff Boyd, Rob Clawson, Steve Evans, Paul Johnson and Ken Murrow. Burial will be in Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell Saturday afternoon. Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell and with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 Friday evening. The family will also receive friends one hour prior to service time on Saturday at the church. Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association. Dorene was born January 14, 1957, in Grinnell, the daughter of Ernest Iver and Doris Paul Thorson. She was raised in Grinnell and was a 1975 graduate of Grinnell High School. Following her education, she was employed at Grinnell Mutual Re-Insurance Company for several years. She later moved to Altoona and began her career as an underwriter at The IMT Group in West Des Moines. She was employed there for almost 40 years! While there she received her CPCU certification. She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and devoted her Sunday's to teaching Sunday school. Dorene was a kind-hearted person with a good sense of humor, she enjoyed laughing. She was a volunteer at Iowa Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines and enjoyed working with children. She loved the outdoors, where she enjoyed the flowers, animals and going on walks. She also enjoyed reading, sewing and needlework. Survivors include two brothers, Dean (Mary Jo) Thorson of Grayslake, Illinois and Richard Thorson of Grinnell; one niece, Natalie Jo Thorson; two nephews, Nicholas Nayersina and Noah Dean Thorson; many aunts and uncles, Norman (Vivian) Paul of Hood River, Oregon, Helen (Earnest) Hoffa of Grundy Center; Phyllis Paul of St. George, Utah, Jim (Margaret) Paul of Newton, Dennis (Sharon) Paul of Greeley, Colorado, Dale Paul of Portland, Oregon, Curt (Rosalea) Paul of Clear Lake and Keith (Dotty) Paul of Fenton, Missouri. She was preceded in death by her parents; her grandparents, Iver and Bessie Thorson and Burt and Mae Paul; and several aunts and uncles, Wayne Paul, Bill and Carol Skoog, Phyllis Paul, Eugene Paul, Joanne Paul, and Louis and Ida Rost.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Sign Dorene Thorson's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

June 12, 2015

Nancy Phillips posted to the memorial.

May 20, 2015

American Heart Association posted to the memorial.

May 20, 2015

Harold HARRISON posted to the memorial.

5 Entries

Nancy Phillips

June 12, 2015

We just heard about Dorene's passing at our Heart meeting at Iowa Lutheran. We loved having her as part of our group, and she will be missed. Sending prayers for healing for her family.

American Heart Association

May 20, 2015

May your memories of the wonderful times you shared with your loved one comfort you and your family, today and always.

Harold HARRISON

May 20, 2015

In memory of a wonderful person. Dorene, a sweetheart, we will love you and miss you always.

Gloria Conrad

May 20, 2015

Doreen and I volunteered together some years ago at Iowa Lutheran Hospital with their Prepared Brother & Sister Class. Doreen was so good with the children and always upbeat. I liked her very much. I will keep you all in my prayers and offer my deepest sympathy.

Angela Faux

May 20, 2015

I'm am deeply saddened I only knew her for close to a year and went to church with her she was a very nice lady my deepest condolences for the family Rip

Showing 1 - 5 of 5 results

Smith Funeral Home, Crematory, & Monument - Grinnell

1103 Broad Street PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112

Make a Donation
in Dorene Thorson's name

How to support Dorene's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Dorene Thorson's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more

Sign Dorene Thorson's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

June 12, 2015

Nancy Phillips posted to the memorial.

May 20, 2015

American Heart Association posted to the memorial.

May 20, 2015

Harold HARRISON posted to the memorial.