Howard Kenneth Thogersen

Howard Kenneth Thogersen, the son of Paul and Sena (Sorensen) Thogersen, was born on July 21, 1915, in rural Harlan, Iowa. He attended Harlan schools. After completing the ninth grade, he worked on a Missouri horse farm. He was later employed as a heavy equipment operator, building pipelines around the country; one of these lines was the Alaskan pipeline. On November 14, 1942, Howard married Lorene Nagel in Bernie, Missouri. The couple retired in Lansing, Illinois, in the early 1980’s, and returned to Harlan in June, 2006. At this time, they became residents of the Elm Crest Retirement Community.

Howard enjoyed woodworking. He was a member of the Local #150 Operating Engineers Union.

Howard K. “Kennie” Thogersen died on Friday, October 12, 2007, at the Elm Crest Retirement Community in Harlan, Iowa, at the age of 92 years, 2 months, and 21 days.

Howard was preceded in death by his parents, and one sister, Ruth Alice Ten Eyck. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Lorene Thogersen of Harlan, Iowa; nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held on Monday, October 15, 2007, at the Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home, Harlan, Iowa, with Pastor Heather Ploen of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Harlan, Iowa, officiating. Casket bearers were Dennis Svoboda, Dane Svoboda, Ethan Ten Eyck, and Jon Burmeister. Burial was in the Harlan Cemetery in Harlan, Iowa. The Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Harlan was in charge of the arrangements.