Kenneth G. Thorson

Ken Thorson, 65, of South Sioux City, formerly of Rock Valley, IA, passed away on Thursday, December 12, 2013 at his home with family present.Services will be at 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday, December 17, 2013 at Morningside Lutheran Church in Sioux City, IA with Pastor Darrin Vick and Pastor Paul Andell officiating. Visitation will be held on Monday, December 16, 2013 from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., with the family present at 6:00 P.M. at the Mohr Funeral Home in South Sioux City, NE. A private family service will be held at a later date for burial of ashes at Valley View Cemetery in Rock Valley, IA.Kenneth Gene Thorson was born in Webster, SD on Oct. 11, 1948 to Albert and Irene (Dragsten) Thorson. He moved to Willow Lake in 1951, where he attended school and graduated in 1966. He earned his B.A. at Augustana College and his Master's Degree at the University of South Dakota. He married Pamela Agrimson on June 5, 1970.Ken taught secondary math and coached from 1970 - 1973 in South Dakota. While living in Rock Valley, IA from 1976 - 2007, he taught special education for the Area Education Agency. For his work with persons with disabilities for over 25 years, Ken received national recognition with the Aaron Award presented by Joni Eareckson Tada on behalf of the Christian Council on Disabilities. He was also named a KCAU-TV's My Favorite Teacher in 2007. He moved to South Sioux City, NE in 2007, where he taught for South Sioux City Community Schools at their alternative high school--Gateway to Learning. He was a member of Morningside Lutheran Church, displaying his passion for ministry to children through Kids Church and Day Camp.Survivors include his wife, Pam; children, Todd (Julie) Thorson of West Des Moines, IA, and Kara (James) Hitchler of LeMars, IA; grandchildren, Alexandra and Cael Thorson and Elizabeth, Katherine and Savannah Hitchler; his mother, Irene Thorson of Elk Point, SD; and one brother, James (Susan) Thorson of Yankton, SD.Ken was preceded in death by his father, Albert Thorson; and his infant granddaughter, Bailey Grace Hitchler.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hope Haven in Rock Valley, IA.