Charles Paul Thorson (Chuck) was born on April 1st, 1938 to Alphie and Myrtle (Lien) Thorson of Clermont, Iowa. He was the youngest of 4 children and was baptized and confirmed at East Clermont Lutheran Church where he remained a lifelong member. He graduated from Clermont High School in 1956, and was involved in band and FFA. He loved farming and made it his occupation for 70 years. He was a steward of the land and a promoter of soil conservation. He also had various livestock throughout the years, but he was primarily a dairy farmer. He was proud to be the 4th generation on the farm that his great grandfather settled in 1855, which was featured 3 times in “Our Iowa” magazine.
He married Bona Mork at the Postville Lutheran Church on February 9th, 1958, sharing 68 years together. Together they had 3 daughters – Cheryl, Lynn, and Valerie. He joked about being singled out in a houseful of women, and welcomed son-in-laws to the family. He was very proud of his girls and their families.
Chuck and Bona moved to Castalia, Iowa for 23 years starting when she became Postmaster there. Chuck joined the Castalia Volunteer Fire Department, and was also a member of the Castalia City Council. They moved back to the home farm in Clermont in 2008, where they remained until moving to West Union, Iowa in 2024.
To know Chuck was to love him for his kindness and joking personality – fitting for someone who was born on April Fools Day! He was a friend to all, and never met a stranger. He had a love for John Deere tractors from a very young age, and still owned his 3020 and 4020 tractors.
Chuck passed away at Emplify Palmer Hospital in West Union, Iowa on Sunday, August 16th, 2026, with his family by his side. He is survived by his wife Bona, his daughters Cheryl (Roger) Reed, Lynn (John) Armstrong, and Valerie (Bryan) Cook. He had 9 grandchildren – Erica Fels, Nathan Reed, Hillary Waddle; Derek & Dylan Armstrong; Jessica, Kayla, Bryce & Rylee Cook; and 12 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by 7 nieces and nephews, and a multitude of friends, in addition to his very special cat, Dude.
He was preceded in death by his parents in 1971, his brother A. Eugene (Anna) Thorson, sisters Minerva (Bill) Bacon and Velma (Eugene) Moorhead, and nephews Lenny Dean Moorhead and Mark Thorson.
Chuck asked that everyone attending to help celebrate his life wear bright colors or John Deere green! Memorials may be given to East Clermont Lutheran Church, Clermont Ambulance Service, or memorial of your choice. The family requests NO FLOWERS please.
A visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 PM on Friday, August 28, 2026 at Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Clermont, Iowa.
The Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at East Clermont Lutheran Church. There will be no visitation prior to the service. A private family burial will be held after the service.
Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Clermont, Iowa is assisting the family with the arrangements.