Obituary of Gerald Ray Thorne

We are here to celebrate Gerald Ray Thorne’s Life.

Gerald was born October 15th 1933 in Waterloo Iowa to Harvey and Verna (Whitman) Thorne.

Gerald started school in Waterloo Iowa in September 1938 at the age of 6. Gerald was baptized at the St Paul’s Methodist church in Waterloo Iowa in May 26th 1940. Unsure when they moved to Minnesota but eventually that became home for the Thorne family.

Gerald went to Saint James Military School in Faribault Minnesota where he graduated on June 6th 1947.

4 years later Gerald went into the Army in January 16th 1951 at the age of 18 were he was a Truck Driver. Gerald was in Korean War 5th Army battalion where he was discharged in October 3rd 1953 with an Honorable Discharge.

Gerald then went back to Minnesota to 3740 Oakland Ave were his parents lived. Eventually he met Barbara Roslee (Wilkie) were they became best friends, they loved bowling and Roller-skated, Dancing, and fishing they eventually got married in September 27th 1963.

They lived many places but they settled down at 6443 20th Ave south in Richfield when we came to live with them.

Gerald had many jobs from JH foods where he drove truck, Mautz paint where he was a store manager, metro mobility bus driver, and mystic lake casino. But his passion was bowling he was in 3 leagues one with mom and the other two where men’s leagues, he even bowled a couple 300 games.

He also loved playing poker and pinball, he always had quarters in his pockets and he would jingle them when his hands were in his pockets.

I remember when we were young he would play his guitar and sign songs to us out of his 3 ring binder where he kept all his music.

In 1974 Gerald adopted us kids Glen, Scott, Brian, and Pam. Teresa had already been married and divorced and had kept her married last name so they decided not to change it, but she was his daughter in every way like I was no matter what her last name was.

Gerald passed away on November 10, 2019 at 6:00 am

Gerald’s is survived by his 4 children: Glen (Sandra), Scott, Brian (Denise), Pam (Brad) Schilling.

13 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren, sister Florence Barcel and nieces and nephew.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Verna Thorne, his wife Barbara Jeann, daughter Teresa Sund, brother in-law Ken Barcel and great grandson Kyle Kruger.

Military honors will be held on Friday November 15, 2019

At Fort Snelling National Cemetery

Time: 10:45 am  Assembly Lane #3