Obituary: Thor W. Garaas

Thor W. Garaas, 92, of Williston, died

early Thursday morning, Nov. 4, 2010, at his home in Williston.

His memorial service will be held at 2

p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10, at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in

Williston. Rev Marianne Ell will officiate and interment will

follow at the Riverview Cemetery in Williston. Cremation has taken

place.

Thor William Garaas was born to Halfdan

and Jenny (Thorsdahl) Garaas on April 10, 1918, in Wheelock, N.D..

He was raised and educated in the Wheelock area and he graduated

from high school in 1936. Upon his graduation, Thor worked at area

grocery stores until joining the U.S. Army in 1942. He served

overseas for three and a half years in Ireland, North Africa and

Italy. He was awarded five battle stars, six overseas bars, the

Good Conduct Medal and the European Asiatic Middle Eastern Service

Medal. Thor was honorably discharged from the Army on Sept. 23,

1945.

After his discharge, Thor attended the

University of Washington. On July 5, 1946, he was united in

marriage to Charlotte Jennison at the St. Peter’s Episcopal Church

in Williston. The couple lived in Seattle for three years before

returning to Williston, where Thor became active in the Jennison

Bakery. He worked as a baker in Williston and in Bigfork, until his

retirement in 1981.

The years following were spent at their

home on Flathead Lake fishing, entertaining family and simply

spending time together. During these years, they founded St.

Patrick’s Episcopal Church in Ferndale, a still thriving church.

Thor and Charlotte were married for more than 55 years.

Surviving Thor are his four children,

Jane (Dennis) Healy of Williston and children Maureen Healy, Dennis

(Erica) Healy, John (Jennifer) Healy, Jennifer Healy, Mechelle

(Joe) Mortenson, Sara Healy and Jana Healy; Janet Fredrickson of

Minot; Thor W. “Bill” (Janelle) Garaas of Cody, Wyo., and children

Kristi Vaughn and Chad (Samantha) Garaas; Wilma (Tim) Carter of

Kalispell and children, Vanessa Carter and Peter Carter; Coral

Schmidt Everson’s children, Thomas and Paul Schmidt; 16

great-grandchildren; one brother, Arthur, of Mesa, Ariz.; and

son-in-law, Curt Everson of Elko, Nev.

Preceding Thor in death were his

parents; his wife, Charlotte; one daughter, Coral Everson; one

son-in-law, Ralph Fredrickson; and three brothers, John, Alvin and

Robert.

Visit www.eversonfh.com to leave

condolences.