Vernon Dean Thronson

Vernon Thronson
Vernon Dean Thronson, 78, Tempe, Arizona, died Monday, January 26, 2015. He was born January 13, 1937 in Mankato, Kansas, the son of John and Myrna(Gleason) Thronson. Vernon was raised in Jewell County and attended country grade school graduating from Mankato High School in 1955.

Shortly after graduating Vernon joined the United States Navy. Most of his four year enlistment was spent in the Orient. He was stationed on a ship that was based in Yokosuka, Japan, where they were usually three weeks tied up at the harbor and a week or so at sea.

After being discharged from the Navy, he spent some time around Mankato and in 1960 he moved to Shenandoah, Iowa, and worked for Earl May Seed and Nursery Co. in the corporate office. After three years with Earl May he went to work for a company also located in Shenandoah that did political and utility surveys in Canada. This gave him a chance to see a lot of the country and he loved it but after seven years decided to settle down. In 1970 he joined Exide Corporation in Burlington, Iowa, as production planner.

He later transferred to Denver, Colorado as office manager. Twenty years later in 1990, the Denver office was closed and he transferred to Phoenix, Arizona. Later in 1993 Exide decided to close the Phoenix facility and Vernon chose early retirement at that time. He wasn¹t ready for the rocking chair so he did several part time jobs and later became a contractor for Certified Corp. on a part time basis. He enjoyed being home every night and cover the whole city all day long.

Vernon was preceded in death by his parents; brother Dale, nephews Roland and John Edward Thronson, all of Oregon.

Survivors are: brother Carroll Thronson and wife Edna, Mankato; niece Carla Thronson Ost, nephews Douglas, Dwight (Kristin) and David Thronson; sister-in-law Betty Thronson, Eagle Creek, Ore.; nieces Patty Thronson Burton, Pam Thronson Randall and Debbie Thronson Tedrow, nephew Mike Thronson, all of Oregon. Also many loving cousins and a host of good friends.

Services will be February 26, 2015 at 2 p.m. at the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Mankato, Kansas. Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas, is handling arrangements. Memorials may be made to the Mankato Alumni Scholarship Fund or memorial of your choice.