Who We Are

We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.

When we sit down with a family, we have just one goal: to create a fitting, memorable and affordable service for their loved one. Together, we explore the wide variety of services and products available, as well as a wealth of creative ideas and suggestions.

Together, we'll design a memorial or funeral service that suits their needs now, and in the future. Families who come to us know that years from now, they will have deep peace-of-mind because in coming to us, they've done their best to honor their loved one.

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  Our History

   

• Our Valued Staff

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    Thor J. Thorson, Funeral Director / Owner

    Thor J. Thorson was born on April 11, 1937 in Viroqua to LeMont and Alice (Hofslien) Thorson. He graduated from Viroqua High School in 1955, the University of Wisconsin at La Crosse and received a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan. He worked as a child welfare worker in Vernon and Lincoln County. From 1968 until 1972 he was a school social worker with the Wausau Area School System. In 1972 he formed a partnership with Richard Arneson and they opened the funeral home in Viroqua in January, 1973. In 1975 after completing Mortuary School at Worsham School of Mortuary Science and his apprenticeship he purchased Arneson’s share and it became Thorson Funeral Home. Thor served in the U.S. Navy as a yeoman on Board the Staff of Commander Battleship Two on board the battleship, USS WISCONSIN (BB-64) and retired from the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps as a Lieutenant Colonel after 40 total years of service with the Navy and Army.
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    Valdo 'Pete' Gilman, Non-Licensed Associate

    Valdo "Pete" Gilman was born on September 15, 1936 on the home farm in rural LaFarge. He attended country school and graduated from LaFarge High School in 1954. In 1960 he married Shirley Drake and they have three children, one girl and two boys. Pete worked in the grocery business until retiring in 1998. He has worked at Thorson Funeral Home from 1999 to present time. Pete is not a licensed funeral director but assists in many aspects of the funeral business and is a valuable associate to the the firm.
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    Joseph Luke Kleiber, Funeral Home Assistant

    Joseph "Luke" Kleiber was born on Aug. 12, 1994 in Viroqua WI, to Joseph & Amy (Forde) Kleiber. He attended and graduated from Viroqua High School in 2012. He is currently attending the University of Wisconsin: Richland Center, And is majoring in Mortuary Sciences. Luke is a EMT with Readstown EMS and North Crawford Rescue Squad, He is also a member of the Readstown Fire Dept. Luke is not a licensed funeral director but assists in many aspects of the funeral business.