Loraine Nellie Thacker

Loraine N. Thacker, 85, of Devils Lake, formerly of Starkweather, ND, died Monday morning, October 20, 2008 at her home under the loving care of her family and Mercy Hospice. Funeral Services for Loraine will be held on Thursday, October 23, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at Trinity-Bergen Lutheran Church, in Starkweather, ND. Rev. Robert Buechler will officiate and burial will be in the Trinity-Bergen Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home in Devils Lake on Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 6:00 p.m. Visitation on Thursday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Casket Bearers for Loraine will be Rudy Bloomquist, Gordy Braathen, Kim Burt, Steve Loehr, Johnny Myklebust, Donny Olson, and Mark Ulrich. Music will be provided by Loraine’s nephew, Lance Quick, and Sharlo Myklebust. Loraine Nellie was born on September 19, 1923 at Starkweather, ND, the daughter of Nicolai Daniel Sǿgnesand (Nick Iverson) and Hertha Agatha (Folvig) Iverson. She lived most of her adult life in the Starkweather area. Loraine began her education in a one-room school at Garske for grades 1-4, and then attended a country school in Bethel Township, another one-room school for grades 5-8. Her family moved to Cando, where she attended her Freshman year and then moved again where she finished high school at Starkweather Public School, graduating in the class of 1941. After graduating high school, Loraine worked on the Overbo farm doing housework and cooking in a cook car. She then moved to Lakota to work for her Aunt and Uncle Graham in their Variety Store and their Funeral Home. In addition to working for Grahams, she also worked part-time in the Nelson County Register of Deeds office. In 1942 and 1943, Loraine attended Aaker’s Business College in Grand Forks. After graduating from Aaker’s in 1943, Loraine returned to Starkweather where she went to work at Bartheld’s Grocery, where she met the love of her life. Loraine was united in marriage to Howard Wayne Thacker at Starkweather on June 16, 1944 in a double wedding ceremony with Art and Doris Myklebust. Loraine and Howard established their home on a farm in rural Starkweather until Howard was soon after called into the service of his country. They lived for a time in Mineral Wells, Texas and then in Salinas, California, until Howard went overseas. Loraine returned to Starkweather and worked at Forrest Little’s Drug Store until Howard returned from the army. After Howard was discharged from the service, they farmed with Howard’s Dad and in 1948 moved to the farm where they would live, work and begin their family. In May of 1960, they purchased the Starkweather Oil Company and would work together as owners and operators until retiring in 1988. Loraine also worked for Quick’s Fairway for a time and served the school and community of Starkweather as the secretary of the Starkweather School from 1972-1976, secretary of the Starkweather Board of Education from 1972-1977 and worked very hard on the dedication of the new Ramsey County Memorial Courthouse. She also co-chaired the 1977 All-Class School Reunion Committee with Anne Quick. When Starkweather celebrated their Diamond Jubilee, Loraine and Howard were honored by being named Queen and King. In September of 2007, they sold their home of 47 years and moved to Devils Lake. Loraine was an active member of Trinity-Bergen Lutheran Church. She served as the financial secretary, a Sunday School Teacher and for several years was a caretaker for the church. She was very active in the church women’s organizations. Loraine was a charter member of the Legion Auxiliary, member of the Everready Homemakers Club and belonged to the Sons of Norway for over 50 years. She was also a 4-H Leader. Loraine had many hobbies and talents including knitting and crocheting. She made over 52 afghans for her family members. Many were crocheted after she was legally blind. She loved technology and her computer. She always said she was born in the wrong generation. She was “communication central” in keeping the family up-to-date with all the news via e-mail. Her talents did not stop there; she was an accomplished seamstress and sewed many of the family’s clothes through the years. At the age of 80 years young, she authored the book “Good Old Days: Family Stories,” a 138 page book of family history, also written on her computer. Loraine and Howard had a passion for travel. They visited every state at least once, and visited Hawaii many times. She also traveled to Norway to see where her father was born and raised, including the house he was born in, the church he attended, and met his best friend and other relatives. Hobbies aside, Loraine’s number one priority in her life was always devotion and love of her husband, children and grandchildren. Loraine is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Howard Thacker of Devils Lake Children: Ginger Thacker of Richmond, California; Judy Schmidt and her husband, Ervy, of Niagara, ND; Jim Thacker and his wife, Mary, of Haslet, Texas and David Thacker and his wife, Kim, of Minot, ND. Grandchildren: Maria Schmidt, Berthold, ND; Debi (Brad) Hoffarth, Minot; Patti (Waylon) Deaver, also Berthold; Nikki (Jake) Muzzy of St. Paul, Minnesota; Paul (Dee Dee) Alter, Minot and Bernie (Maria) Alter, Fort Worth, Texas. Great Grandchildren: AJ, Abby, Averie, Gage, Gunnar, Gretchen, Tristan and Rafe. Sister: Alice Quick, Fargo, ND Sister-In-Law: Christine (Ed) Hirzy of DeSoto, Missouri Other nieces, nephews, cousins and their families also survive. Loraine is preceded in death by her parents.