Richard F. Thorngren, 79, Silver Bay, died Saturday, October 6, 2012 at home.
He was born October 11, 1932 to Frank and Agnes (Lind) Thorngren in Two Harbors. Dick grew up in Beaver Bay and attended school in East Beaver Bay and Two Harbors. He worked as a commercial fisherman and sailed the Great Lakes before marrying Norma Jean Carr on November 28, 1953, the first marriage ever conducted in the village of Silver Bay.
Dick began working construction in May of 1952 and continued to do so until retiring in 1989. He also owned and operated Kennedy’s Landing Campground until 1994.
Dick was a member of Fortitude Lodge #188 of the Masons, Loyal Order of Moose Lodge #1463, the Tofte Commercial Fishing Museum, and a lifetime member of the Finland Historical Society. He served four years as a Lake County commissioner in the 1970s. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, woodworking, traveling and loved playing his many harmonicas at various places around the country.
He is preceded in death by his parents and a nephew, Tim Rushenberg.
Dick is survived by his wife Norma Jean of Silver Bay; daughters Jeanne Muntean of Tofte and Robin (Bill Carpenter) Thorngren of Boise, Idaho; brother Allen of Silver Bay; sisters Lois McMillen of Silver Bay and Rita (John) Rushenberg of Becker, MN; granddaughter Emily Muntean; and four nephews.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 13, 2012 at the United Protestant Church in Silver Bay. Burial will be in Beaver Bay Cemetery. To sign the online register book please visit www.cavallinfuneralhome.com.
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