Andrew Anders Thon

Last Rites Held for A.A. Thon

Complications developing from an operation several months ago coupled with his advanced age claimed the life of Andrew A. Thon last Thursday, February 29, 1941. The deceased had been a resident of this community about 32 years, coming to this city from Nebraska and establishing a shoe repair shop.

Funeral services were held Saturday, February 22 at the Peet Mortuary Chapel with Rev. P.H. Evans and Rev. M.H. Marshall in charge. A quartet composed of Mrs. Edna DeCastro, Mrs. H.J. Templeton, J.M. Hungate and O.P. Harnagel sang "Nearer My God to Thee," and "Shall We Gather at the River," with Mrs. J.P. Watson pianist.

The Odd Fellows Lodge of Lusk conducted the ritual of the order at the close of the ceremony. The remains were shipped to Clearwater, Nebraska for burial.

Andrew Anders Thon was born march 26, 1857, at Bergen, Norway, and passed away February 20, 1941, at Lusk, Wyoming. He was 83 years, 10 months and 24 days of age at the time of his death.

He was the son of Andrew and Sigrud Bjorgum. When a small boy he lived in the mountains of Norway, and at the age of five moved with his family to Bergen where his father was a road foreman. In 1872 he became an apprentice to Mr. En. N. Rernsen, one of the finest shoemen in Bergen. Here he stayed for five years and during this time he attended a night school for trade boys for three years. He was confirmed and joined the Lutheran church when quite young.

At the age of twenty-two he was united in marriage to Maria Olsen. Three daughters, Mrs. Amalia Berntsen, twin daughters, Mrs. Sigrud Olds and Mrs. Anna Lisle, were born in Norway. Mr. Thon then came to America on June 30, 1882 and was joined about a years later by his wife and family. Upon arriving in America he went to Wisner, Nebraska, later moving to Oakdale and there a daughter, Mrs. Esther Anderson and a son, Alfred, Were born He then moved to Clearwater and opened a harness shop. Here his son, Jalmer, was born. He became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1889. On February 22, 1892, his wife passed away leaving him to care for family of growing children.

He moved with his family to Fergus Falls, Minn., where he ran a shoe shore and from there he again moved to Nebraska and thence to Lusk, Wyoming in 1909 where he homesteaded and ran a shoe repair shop. He still maintained the repair shop at the time of his death. In 1912 he was united in marriage to Mrs. Mary Grimes, who passed away a few years ago.

Mr. Thon had always been an energetic, thrifty citizen was was always keenly alert to the changes of civilization and always susceptible to anything new. His was the blessing of never growing old and feeble, for although he was almost 84 years old at the time of his death, his step was young and spry. He was resourceful and patient until the last. He always enjoyed music and the sociability of his friends and neighbors.

He was preceded in death by a son, Albert and several small children. Besides his immediate family he leaves to mourn his passing two sisters in Norway m four nieces, a nephew, thirty grandchildren and forty-seven great-grandchildren and many friends.

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