Nels Thormodsgaard was born on December 18, 1917, on the family farm near Alcester, South Dakota to parents, Haakon and Ida (Sullestad) Thormodsgaard. He passed away on November 2, 2008, at Golden Living Center in Madison, South Dakota, at the age of 90 years, 10 months, and 14 days.

Nels was a lifetime member of Trinity Lutheran Church near Hudson, South Dakota. He received his formal education at Rommereim Country School, Hudson.

He married Myrtle D. Hendrickson on December 26, 1941. By early February, 1942, he was in the US Army; and before the end of 1943, he was in Europe serving his country during WWII. Meanwhile, Myrtle was raising their son, Neil, born eight days after Nels shipped out. The war was a life-changing experience for Nels. Although he was proud to serve his country, he never forgot the horror of war and felt deeply for the men and women currently serving our country.

After the war ended in 1945, Nels and Myrtle began farming and raising their family near Alcester, South Dakota. They lived in the same house in which Nels had been born. Nels was an exceptional farmer, and no one enjoyed farming more than he did. He and Myrtle created and worked hard to maintain the beautiful, park-like setting of their farm.

For many years, bowling was Nels' favorite recreational activity. But what he enjoyed most throughout his life was visiting and laughing with friends and family.

In  2000, Nels and Myrtle moved into a lovely apartment in Beresford. In August of 2006, they moved to Bethesda of Beresford where Myrtle passed away August 31, 2006. The following year, Nels moved to Golden Living Center in Madison, South Dakota.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Myrtle; his son, Neil; and all of his siblings including his three brothers: Edwin, Ingert, and Albert; and his four sisters:  Berthine Falk, Selma Thormodsgaard, Nora Jamtgaard, and Thelma Hammitt.

Among those who gratefully shared his life and will miss him deeply are his children: Kathy Osvog and husband Dave (Parker, CO), Glen Thormodsgaard (Aurora, CO), Rod Thormodsgaard (Brookings, SD), and Vicky Thormodsgaard (San Rafael, CA); former daughter-in-law, Donna Cooper (Englewood, CO); five grandchildren:  Jason Osvog (Parker, CO), Alysa Osvog (West Palm Beach, FL), Kari Dennison and husband Gregg (Canon City, CO), Jeff Thormodsgaard (Denver, CO), and Gary Thormodsgaard (Aurora, CO); and three great-grand children:  Lily, Laura, and Luke Dennison (Canon City, CO). We will remember most his tender heart, his hearty laugh, and the twinkle in his bright blue eyes.

The family requests that donations be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, Hudson, South Dakota, or the charity of their choice.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 6, 2008 at Trinity Lutheran Church, rural Hudson, SD. Visitation will be Wednesday from 2:00-8:00 p.m. at Wass Funeral Home in Beresford with the family present form 7:00-8:00 p.m.