Glen Thornton

Wednesday, August 15, 2018 4:02 pm

Glen Thornton, 90, of Decorah, died Monday, Aug. 13, at Wellington Place in Decorah. Services are at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 17, at Decorah Lutheran Church, with Rev. Dave Sorenson and Rev. Brenda Crossfield officiating. Organist is Kathy Murray. Hymns are “Rock of Ages,” “Old Rugged Cross,” “Just a Closer Walk With Thee” and “I’ll Fly Away.” Casket bearers are Adam Thornton, Lucas Thornton, Sam Donlan, Seth Butler and Tanner Schulta and Breydon Johnson. Interment is at Phelps Cemetery in Decorah. Arrangements are being handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Decorah.

Glen Arthur Thornton was born Oct. 30, 1927, the son of Andrew and Pearl (Ruth) Thornton in Decorah. He graduated from Decorah High School in 1945. Glen was united in marriage to DeLoris Solem Oct. 3, 1948. Together they had six children: Linda, Larry, Al, Denise, Lori and Jenny. Glen and DeLoris have 14 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. Glen began his career by building Thornton Feed Store along with his father Andrew in 1946. They were partners until Andrew’s death in 1971. Glen continued to successfully run the business with his son Al until his retirement in 2004. Glen continued to work part time making feed deliveries until his fulltime retirement in 2008. Andrew and Glen’s legacy lives on as Al Thornton and his son Adam Thornton continue to run the business “Thornton’s Feed & Grain.” Glen was a man with many talents, from being a master wood craftsman to being a supreme cookie baker. Glen could pretty much do it all, including auto mechanics, welding, feed mixing, making oatmeal for his children before school and wood working. Glen’s most appreciated attribute was his humor. With a beer in hand, he always had a good joke that put a smile on everyone’s face, including his own. Glen loved taking his family to the Mississippi River for boating and fishing. The family vacation was always a weekly trip to Lake Miltona in Minnesota. Glen’s love for his one and only, DeLoris was evident to everyone. Even in his final hours he was more concerned for her comfort than his own. He had a strong desire to hold her close, to hug her and to kiss her. They told each other the love they felt for each other while they embraced. Then Glen was ready to go on his journey and Jesus brought him home. He will be missed greatly.

Glen is survived by his wife, DeLoris; children: Larry (Lorris) Thornton, Shakopee, Minn.; Al (Tammy) Thornton, Decorah; Denise (Leonard) Ziech, Merrill, Wis.; Lori (fiancé, Jeff) Vetter, Grimes; and Jenny (Paul) Butler, Decorah; son-in-law, Oz Osterhoudt, Faribault, Minn.; grandchildren: Melissa Osterhoudt, Angie Osterhoudt and Amanda (Jesse) St. James; Ashlee (Sean) Whitehead, Raisa (Daniel) Brashi; Adam (Lana) Thornton, Lucas (Sam) Thornton and Taisha (fiancé, Tanner) Thornton; Tanner Schultz; Rachel (Tim) Davis, Kirsten (Danny) Gannon and Emily Vetter; Sam Donlan and Seth Butler; 23 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Glen was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Pearl (Ruth) Thornton; daughter, Linda Osterhoudt, in 2015; brother, Ronald (Marilyn) Thornton; father and mother-in-law, Melvin and Clara (Young) Solem; son-in-law, Russ Shultz; brothers and sisters-in-law: Don (Shirley) Leyse and Curt (Gerri) Solem.