Joan Thorsten

Joan ‘Joanie’ Ione Thorsten, age 65, passed away suddenly on January 1, 2025, at her home in Longville, Minnesota.

Born on November 24, 1959, to Roy and Lorene (Brambrink) LaVigne, Joanie spent most of her life in Foley, Minnesota. She graduated as homecoming queen from Foley High School in 1978, and shortly thereafter, she met and fell in love with her "lobster," Rick Thorsten. They were married on December 5, 1981, and enjoyed 43 years together, built on a strong faith and a deep belief in the importance of family. Joanie cherished spending time with her children and grandchildren, creating memories that will be treasured forever.

Joanie was known for her incredible organizational skills, attention to detail, and her genuinely pleasant nature. She worked for many years as a secretary, where her meticulousness and positive attitude shone brightly. Joanie also had a creative soul and loved scrapbooking, spending hours perfecting each page with care.

In addition to her love of creativity, Joanie was passionate about fishing and playing games. Her hidden talent was Texas hold’em poker, where she earned a reputation as a master player—often winning with her calm demeanor and being impossible to read. But, above all, the greatest joy in Joanie’s life came from her two grandsons, Luke and Ben, who brought a special spark to her world.

Joanie is survived by her loving husband, Rick Thorsten of Longville; children, Josh (Michele) Thorsten and Rena (Robert) Herheim; grandchildren, Luke and Ben; brothers, Bob (Bonnie) LaVigne, Ron (Merx) LaVigne, and Duane (Lilly) LaVigne; and sisters, Mary Kay (Ron) Johnson and Juleen (Ron) Wegman. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Larry LaVigne.

A celebration of Joanie’s life will be held on Saturday, April 5th from 2-6 PM at Mr. Jim's, 840 MN-23, Foley, MN 56329. Family and friends are invited to join in honoring her memory.