Ardell Lloyd "Art" Thoreson

Ardell 'Art' Lloyd Thoreson

Ardell "Art" Lloyd Thoreson, of Virginia, Minn., formerly from Embarrass, Minn., passed away peacefully on October 14, 2025, at the age of 92, at Essentia Medical Center in Virginia, Minn., with his wife and family by his side.

He was born March 19, 1933, to Carl and Emma (Giving) Thoreson in Hazel, Minn. He grew up in the Goodridge, Minn., area.

He enlisted in the Army in 1953 and served state side, being the Korean conflict just ended before he was to be shipped overseas. He retired as SP2 Sargent in 1956. Upon discharge he obtained his private flying license. After working various jobs, he went to work for Erie (LTV) in April of 1956, and loving his job worked there for 39 years in the Locomotive Department.

He married Lillie June Knutson from Oklee, Minn., in 1955, and they were married 70 years; and to this union two children, Peggy & Tony were born, his pride and joy. He was a very kind and very ambitious person.

He was a member of Hope Lutheran Church and was involved in many of their projects including being on the church council. He was very proud of his Norwegian heritage that included his family who were early Minnesota pioneers from Eureka Township, Dakota County, and Farmington, Minn.

He had many hobbies: snow machining, hunting, traveling, fishing, chauffeuring his wife for the genealogy projects, and he loved machinery.

He had a FCC Ham Radio License. Field Day was special being it was held on their hill in Embarrass.

He started making violins in his retirement stage, his favorite hobby, but later had to quit because of his eye condition. He enjoyed working in the forest. Ardell was a craftsman who created violins from the raw wood that he cut down. He would cut, slit, dry, and shape it into a musical instrument. It was then tuned to frequency.

He is survived by his wife, Lillie Thoreson of Virginia, Minn.; children, Peggy (Larry) Knapper of Gilbert, Minn. and Tony (Tina) Thoreson of Embarrass, Minn.; grandchildren: Stephen, Melody, Angel (Erik), Danielle, and Jessie; great-grandchildren, Nadia, Rose, Jacob and Hallie; siblings: Leonard Thoreson of Virginia, Minn., Kenneth Thoreson of Roseau, Minn., Darlene Erickson of Annandale, Minn., and Arlyce Roisland of Wait Park, Minn.; and sister-in-law, Carol Geiger of Sioux Falls, SD.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Emma Thoreson; and all of the sibling's spouses.

Services will be held by Pastor Christina Forsythe at the Hope Lutheran Church in Embarrass, Minn., on Monday, October 27, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in the Embarrass Cemetery, and lunch at the Embarrass Town Hall.

We will see you soon, Ardell.

Arrangements are made with the Range Funeral Home of Virginia, Minnesota. To send condolences or to sign the online guestbook, please visit www.rangefuneralhomes.com.