Glen Thornton

GLEN THORNTON

Decorah

Glen Thornton, 90, of Decorah, Iowa, died on Monday, Aug. 13, 2018, at Wellington Place in Decorah.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 17, at the Decorah Lutheran Church, 309 Winnebago St., Decorah, with the Rev. Dave Sorenson and the Rev. Brenda Crossfield presiding.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 16, at the Schluter-Balik Funeral Home, 604 South Ave., Decorah, and also after 10 a.m. at the church on Friday.

Glen Arthur Thornton was born on Oct. 30, 1927, the son of Andrew and Pearl (Ruth) Thornton in Decorah, Iowa. He graduated from Decorah High School in 1945. Glen was united in marriage to DeLoris Solem on Oct. 3, 1948. Together they had six children, Linda, Larry, Al, Denise, Lori and Jenny. Glen and DeLoris have 14 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.

Glen began his career by building Thornton Feed Store along with his father, Andrew, in 1946. They were partners until Andrew's death in 1971. Glen continued to run the business successfully with his son, Al, until his retirement in 2004. Glen continued to work part-time making feed deliveries until his full-time retirement in 2008. Andrew and Glen's legacy lives on as Al Thornton and his son, Adam Thornton, continue to run the business, Thornton's Feed & Grain.

Glen was a man with many talents, from being a master wood craftsman to being a supreme cookie baker. Glen could pretty much do it all, including auto mechanics, welding, feed mixing, making oatmeal for his children before school and woodworking. Glen's most appreciated attribute was his humor. With a beer in hand, he always had a good joke that put a smile on everyone's face, including his own. Glen loved taking his family to the Mississippi River for boating and fishing. The family vacation was always a weekly trip to Lake Miltona in Minnesota.

Glen's love for his one and only, DeLoris, was evident to everyone. Even in his final hours, he was more concerned for her comfort than his own. He had a strong desire to hold her close, to hug her and to kiss her. They told each other the love they felt for each other while they embraced. Then Glen was ready to go on his journey and Jesus brought him home. He will be missed greatly.

Glen is survived by his wife, DeLoris; children, Larry (Lorris) Thornton, Shakopee, Minn., Al (Tammy) Thornton, Decorah; Denise (Leonard) Ziech, Merrill, Wis., Lori (fiance, Jeff) Vetter, Grimes, Iowa, and Jenny (Paul) Butler, Decorah; and son-in-law, Oz Osterhoudt, Faribault, Minn.