THOR NERSTEN, 90, a lifelong resident of the Big Lake community, passed away on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 at the Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon.
He was born on August 5, 1915 in Monahan, Washington, the son of Samuel Thor & Olive Sophie Bufladen Nersten. In 1918 the family moved to Big Lake and there Thor was raised and attended school.
He worked in the logging industry in Alaska for a while, returning to Skagit County working with the Civilian Conservation Corps. He later worked for Puget Sound Pulp & Timber as a shop foreman and master mechanic, repairing heavy equipment. He later worked for the Department of Natural Resources as a mechanic and then retired in 1977 from the Sedro-Woolley School District as a bus master mechanic.
He was united in marriage to Frances Cantlin in Mount Vernon on November 14, 1935 and together they made their home in Big Lake for 61 years until her death in 1996.
Thor enjoyed playing solitaire, working on the family cattle farm, volunteering at the Moose Lodge and the Big Lake Historical Society, and visiting with the morning ‘Social Club’ at the Big Rock Grocery for breakfast and the ‘Lunch Bunch’ at the Big Lake Bar & Grill for lunch. Thor was a charter organizer and a 30 year member of the Big Lake Volunteer Fire Department.
Thor is survived by his children; Sam Nersten and his wife, Lois of Day Creek, Norman Nersten of Mount Vernon, Carol Nersten of Big Lake, Noreen Hall and her husband, Mike of Sedro-Woolley and Julie Rockafellow of Sedro-Woolley. 13 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandson.
Besides his wife, Frances, Thor was also preceded in death by his parents, Sam & Olive; 3 sons, Johny, Arthur & Ronald Nersten; 1 daughter, Marie Nersten; 1 brother, Arthur Nersten and 1 sister, Marie Nersten.
Thor’s family wishes to acknowledge Randy Audette and the ‘Social Club’ at the Big Rock Grocery, Steve & Linda and the ‘Lunch Bunch’ at the Big Lake Bar & Grill and the Big Lake Community for their love and hospitality towards Thor.
Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, December 28, 2005 at 11:00 AM at the Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery with Cathy Garcia officiating. Visitation available at and services under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley. The family suggests memorials to Big Lake Historical Society, c/o Kenneth Hoffman, 26512 Garden St., Mount Vernon, WA 98274.