Chrys-Meree Thorsen

Chrys-Meree Lund Thorsen, 79, Bismarck, walked with St. Peter on November 9, 2008, at St. Alexius Medical Center, Bismarck. Services will be held at 11:00 am Saturday at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Bismarck, with Rev. Nadine Lehr officiating. Visitation will be held from 2:00 pm until 5:00 pm Friday at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck, and from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm Friday at Lord of Life Lutheran Church. A prayer service will be held at 7:00 pm Friday at Lord of Life Lutheran Church. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Chrys-Meree was born March 5, 1929, in Minneapolis, MN, the daughter of Einar “Pork” Axel and Kirstine “Kitty” Judith Christiansen Lund, Sr. She attended first grade at Grey School in Lundville, MT. The family moved to Wolf Point, MT, where she graduated school in 1947. She attended St. Olaf College in North Field, MN, and Northern State College in Havre, MT. Following college, Chrys-Meree taught at Victory School, a one-room school house 35 miles north of Wolf Point. On March 11, 1949, she married the love of her life, Harold “Red” Thorsen. After one year in Missoula, MT, they returned to Wolf Point where she honed her journalistic and photographic talents; working as a reporter for the Wolf Point Herald News. She helped out her parents at the Lund Feed and Seed Store, and volunteered as a pianist and Sunday school teacher at First Lutheran Church. She assisted her father in census taking for the Wolf Point School District. Chrys-Meree became an ardent salesperson for World Book Encyclopedia while in Wolf Point. Upon moving to Glasgow in 1964, she was a secretary at her husband’s State Farm Insurance business. She also sold Fashion 220 Cosmetics and Shaklee Products. In 1969 they moved to Jamestown, ND. Chrys-Meree purchased the franchise of Newcomers Welcome Service. She also worked as the secretary for State Farm Insurance and later for Farmer’s Union Insurance. In 1986, they moved to Bismarck, ND. Chrys-Meree began selling Avon. She was also the office director for the North Dakota PTA for ten years. Chrys-Meree had a smile and kind word for everyone she met. She loved to take and share pictures at any and all occasions. She loved playing Cribbage with Red, Whist with her daughters, and Shanghai with her grandchildren. Bridge, however, was her passion. Chrys-Meree was known for her yearly Valentine Newsletter. She and Red were proud to have provided a college education for their four girls. In all communities she was active in the Lutheran Church and many volunteer activities. She donated blood, 124 times, providing over 15 gallons. She organized class reunions and family gatherings. She always thought of others first and will be deeply missed. Her Christian spirit will never be forgotten. Chrys-Meree is survived by her husband, Harold “Red” Thorsen, Bismarck, ND; her four daughters and sons-in-law, NancyAnn Warren Johnson, Nome, ND, and their children, Nathan Alan Nikki Johnson and Stephanie Lyn Travis Olson; Susan Rae Craig Stevens, Virginia, MN, and their son, Brian Thorsen Stevens; Linda Meree Steve Whaley, Fargo, ND; and Judith Almira Steve Selinger, Chanhassen, MN, and their children, Lindsay Grace, Daniel Ross, Ryan Jeffery, and Megan Kaye Selinger; her great-grandchildren, Brinklyn Mercedes Johnson and Tucker Lane Johnson; her sisters and brothers-in-law, Dr. Naomi Gene Craig, Fernandina Beach, FL; Ruth Elaine Dick Stedtfeld, Havre, MT; and Mary Lou Robert Van Galder; her brother and sister-in-law, Dr. Bruce Alan Suzanne Lund, Stewartville, MN; her sister-in-law, Peggy Lund, Wolf Point, MT; and numerous fun-loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brothers and sisters-in-law, Einar A. Patricia Lund Jr., and Robert K. Carol Lund; her brother-in-law, Dr. Robert Craig; her parents, Einar A. and Kirstine Lund and her in-laws, Ellis and Almira Thorsen.

Chrys-Meree Thorsen

March 5, 1929 - November 9, 2008