Vendela M. Thorson

Vendela M. Thorson, age 93 of Mead, passed away Wednesday, May 30, 2018 in Omaha. She was born at Newman Grove, Nebraska on January 18, 1925 to Anton and Anna (Flink) Havenstein. Vendela was baptized and confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church in Newman Grove where she was active in Luther League, and taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. In 1942, she graduated from Newman Grove High School and, in 1944, from Luther Junior College in Wahoo. She returned to Newman Grove where she was employed by attorney R.A. Johnson, and the First National Bank. On August 12, 1948, Vendela was united in marriage to E. Wallace Thorson at rural Salem Lutheran Church. They lived on a farm one mile east of Mead. She joined Alma Lutheran Church and was active in Alma Lutheran Women, taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, served on the Church Council, the Altar Guild, and "Chat & Sew" quilters. She was a member of Marietta Extension Club, served on the Saunders County Senior Advisory Board, the Lincoln Nine Area Senior Advisory Board, the Fremont-Midland Entertainment Board, and Lutheran Brotherhood Branch. She was a Thrivent Congregational Coordinator and a volunteer at the Saunders County Museum. Vendela was much beloved by her family and all who knew her. She was gracious, loving, and kind. Her faith sustained her throughout her life. She had a wonderful sense of fun and an incredible zest for life. She was the heart of her family. She is survived by sons Alan (Nancy) Thorson of Omaha, Wayne (Kimberly) Thorson of Mead; daughter-in-law Toni Thorson of Lincoln; grandchildren John (Marlena) Thorson of Brooklyn, NY; Emily (Andy) Gerch of Lincoln and their children Gavin and Connor; Alicia (Douglas) Johnson of Overland Park, KS and their children Frederick and Nathaniel; Scott (Robyn) Thorson of Omaha and their son August; Katherine Thorson of Omaha; Nick (Dove) Thorson of Elkhorn and their daughter Josslynn; Paul Thorson of Mead; Kayla (Nick) Radford of Elkhorn and their daughter Makenna; Jaclyn (Kyle) Kronberg of Wahoo and their children Audrey, Margot and Harrison. Vendela was preceded in death by her husband E. Wallace Thorson, and son Norman Thorson. Memorials may be made to Alma Lutheran Church. Casket Bearers will be Nick Thorson, Paul Thorson, John Thorson, Scott Thorson, Andrew Gerch, Doug Johnson, Kyle Kronberg, and Nick Radford.