Owen Dean Thorson, 78, of Maquoketa, Iowa, passed away on Sept. 18, 2018, at his home.

A celebration of Owen's life was held Sept. 22, 2018, at First Lutheran Church in Maquoketa, Iowa. Visitation was Sept. 21, 2018, at Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa. Graveside services and burial were held Sept. 23, 2018, at The Cambridge Cemetery, in Cambridge, Iowa, with military honors. 

Owen was born on Oct. 14, 1939, in Cambridge, to Eric Selmer and Alice Mae (Nelson) Thorson. He attended high school in Cambridge, graduating in 1957. After graduation, he attended Luther College in Decorah, where he earned a Business degree in 1961. Upon graduation, he served his country in the U.S. Army, receiving an honorable discharge 1963. He then moved to Kansas City, and was employed as a district sales representative for Standard Oil. He left Kansas City, and traveled the world for the next two years, visiting 41 countries. Upon his return, Owen worked as an instructor for the Iowa State University speech department, while earning his master's degree in counseling. In 1974, he moved to Maquoketa, where he worked as a high school guidance counselor for the Maquoketa Community School District. He retired in 2004. Additionally, during the summers, he worked as a Pioneer Hi-Bred seed field inspector supervisor for 36 years.

Owen married Karen Louise Hartley on April 24, 1982, in Dubuque, Iowa. 

Owen was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Maquoketa, Maquoketa Club Optimist International, serving as a past President in 1996, American School Counselors Association, Iowa Counselors Association, serving as a past President from 1984-1985, and the Sons of Norway. His favorite pastime was observing wildlife around Hurstville, following college football, and collecting lightning rod balls.

Those left to honor Owen's memory include his wife, Karen Thorson of Maquoketa, Iowa; children, Emily (Robert) Deschner of Palatine, Ill., and Eric (Whitney) Thorson of Ankeny, Iowa; two grandchildren, Kara Mae Deschner and Dean Samuel Thorson; a brother, Eric (Marlene) Thorson of Irvine, Calif.; and sisters, Delores Lewis of Urbandale, Iowa, and Adelia Heitland of Des Moines, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Bonnie Lou Thorson and Stella Glew.

Memorials may be made to Luther College or Hospice of Jackson County.

Online condolences may be left at www.carsonandson.com.