Ronald O. Thostenson

Ronald Thostenson, age 64, of rural Brooten, MN, died unexpectedly on Sunday, April 11, 2021, at his home. To maintain proper social distancing and numbers, a private family memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 15th, at Big Grove Lutheran Church, rural Belgrade, with Pastor Lisa Meshke and Pastor Kelly Mahoney officiating. Visitation for family will be at the church one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will be in the church cemetery. A public visitation will take place from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 14th, at the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Brooten. Covid-19 mask and social distancing requirements must be observed both at the funeral home and at the church. Arrangements are with Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home of Brooten. 

Ronald Owen Thostenson was born on August 17, 1956 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was the second of three children born to Roger and Yvonne (Olson) Thostenson, He grew up in North Fork Township, was baptized and confirmed at Big Grove Lutheran Church in rural Belgrade.  He attended school in Brooten and graduated from Brooten High School in 1974. After high school Ron furthered his education at Wadena Technical College.

On October 5, 1974 Ron was united in marriage to Eileen Marie McCracken. The two made their home in rural Brooten and were blessed with one daughter, Jackie. The two later divorced.

Ronald entered the United States Army on January 15, 1981. Later that year, on November 28th, he married Tami Kay Coburn. During Ron’s time in the service they moved around to various Army bases in the U.S. and Germany. Following his honorable discharge on January 14, 1985, they returned to rural Brooten where they raised their children Emily, Kristin, Kimberly, Melissa and Eric. Ron and Tami later divorced.

Ron was employed in construction throughout his life for various companies. He enjoyed tinkering with things, nature and the outdoors, riding motorcycles, and watching westerns. When he was younger, before his brother passed away, they enjoyed playing pool together. He especially loved playing family board games, particularly Balderdash and Risk, and he was proud of his Norwegian heritage. Ron will be remembered for being a prankster and for his love of family.

In recent years, Ron attended Hope Community Church in Glenwood. In 1989, he was baptized as an adult, along with other family members at Southbook Baptist Church in Wadena. He died Sunday, April 11, 2021 at home in rural Brooten.

Ron is survived by his mother, Yvonne (Olson) Thostenson Kjeldahl of Belgrade; his children and their families: Jackie (Jeffrey) Stegeman, Cheyenne, Tristin, Cody, Brody, and Eliza of Atwater; Emily Thostenson (Carter) Mithun, Trinity, Gracen, and Jack of Alexandria; Kristin Dove, Caleb, Jacob, Macy, and Thea of Terrace; Melissa (Josh) Douvier, Andrea, Mason, Tiffany and Avery of Brooten; and Eric Thostenson of Brooten; one sister, Teresa (Mark) Wander; his Godson, Jason Wander; along with several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father; his brother, Ricky; a daughter, Kimberly, in infancy; a granddaughter, Angel Thostenson in infancy; and his step-father, George Kjeldahl.

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