Gerald Thurston
Gerald Richard Thurston, 82, of Strum, died Thursday, February 2, 2017 at the Heritage Manor in Elroy, Wisconsin.
Gerald was born August 17, 1934 in Blair to Ellsworth and Ida (Kolve) Thurston. He attended Gale-Ettrick High School. He was drafted in the U.S. Army December 4, 1956 and served until November 24, 1958.
Gerald married Shirley Wheeler on August 25, 1956 in Hegg. They lived in the Ettrick and Whitehall area until 1962 when they moved to Strum. Shirley preceded him in death on September 1, 2010.
Gerald worked as a lineman for Trempealeau County Electric for 40 years, covering northern Trempealeau County. He retired in 1989.
Gerald was active in the Strum community. He was a member of VFW Post #6550 of Strum and served on the Strum-Unity Fire Department for 33 years serving as chief for a number of years. He worked with a government program teaching gun safety and shooting skills to kids and trained tracking dogs for law enforcement. He enjoyed hunting and fishing.
Gerald is survived by his daughter Merry Jane (Craig) Thornsen of Sparta; son Kent (Linda) Thurston of Hillsboro; grandchildren, Kimberlee Potts, Justin Parkinson, Brody Fanshaw, Michelle Thornsen and Jesse (Corrisa) Thornsen; brother, Roger Thurston of Citrus Springs, FL; sisters, Etheleen (Charles) Williamson of Mondovi, Ann Schroeder of Garnett, KS, Mary (Kenneth) Zerves of Gold Canyon, AZ.
In addition to his wife Shirley, Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, Ellsworth and Ida and a granddaughter Kayla Potts.
Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, February 6, 2017 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Strum. Rev. Paul Tobiason will be officiating. Burial will be in St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery in Strum.
Friends may call from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at the church on Monday.
The family wishes to thank the Heritage Manor Nursing Home for their loving care. Memorials may be made to the Strum VFW or Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Association.
Schiefelbein Funeral Home in Osseo is assisting the family.
Condolences may be left at schiefelbeinfh.com.
