Victor Louis Thomsen, Victor Louis Thomsen

Victor Louis Thomsen, 81, of rural Olin, died at his home Monday, Sept. 7, 2009, from congestive heart failure and renal disease. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. John Lutheran Church, Olin. Pastor Jen Andreas will officiate the services. Burial will be at Olin Cemetery with military honors by the Olin American Legion Blayney Minor Ahrendsen Post 412, where he had served as a past commander. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Lahey Funeral Home in Olin. Victor Louis Thomsen was born Oct. 28, 1927, in rural Olin, to Andrew and Frances (Guhl) Thomsen. He graduated from Olin High School in1947. He was proud to serve his country in the Korean War from May 1951 to January 1953. He married Alice McCleary on June 14, 1959, in St. John Lutheran Church in Olin. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in June with family. Together they farmed on the farm where Victor lived his entire life, which has been in the family for 107 years. Farming was the love of his life along with his family. An avid sports fan, he also enjoyed watching Hawkeye football and basketball and he cheered and remained hopeful for his beloved Cubs to win a world championship. Victor was a longtime and active member of St. John Lutheran Church in Olin.Victor was a quiet, good man who loved to work and he was a loving husband, father, grandfather and sibling. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Alice; his children, Gary Thomsen of rural Olin and Terri (John) Kratchmer of Madison, Wis.; four grandchildren, Shanece Thomsen of Iowa City, Zacariah Thomsen of Cedar Rapids, and Nicholas and Kyle Kratchmer, both of Madison; three sisters, Venita Sharp of Bettendorf, Verda (Jack) Scott of DeWitt and Valerie (Denny) Hickey of Bradford, Ill; and a brother-in-law, Jack Zimmerman of Cedar Rapids.Victor was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Velma Zimmerman; and a brother-in-law, Bill Sharp.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. John Lutheran Church or the Olin Ambulance.Online condolences may be left for the family at