Dennis Thorson

3/8/1952 — 6/13/2025

• Service Date: 10/11/2025
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Dennis K. Thorson, 73, of Lewiston, took Jesus’ hand on Friday, June 13, 2025, and entered his heavenly home.

Dennis was born at Bottineau, N.D., on March 8, 1952, to Stanley and Helen Thorson. His parents moved to the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley with Dennis, oldest brother Aaron and sister Janice, in 1954. The family was later joined by brothers Gene, Mark and Shawn.

In 1973, Dennis married his best friend Karen Juran in a double wedding with her sister Donna and Jeff Johnson after convincing Jeff that they might as well go down together.

Dennis and Karen were blessed with their favorite daughter Cori who was their partner in lots of mountain adventures and with grandchildren Claire and Oliver Cardwell and Piper Straw, as well as Austyn (John Bierhaus), Bodhi (Rylee) and Caiden Straw, and a large group of great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Dennis was a people person and loved the many friends he made starting from grade school all the way through graduation at Lewiston High School in 1970.

He added more friends and co-workers who were like family over the years from his jobs at Craftwall of Idaho, P&F Distributors, JC Boulton and Sons Construction, and finally retiring from Karl Runsvold Construction.

We have lots of wonderful memories from all the fun things Dennis liked to do — dirt biking, Jeeping, trap shooting and hanging out in the woods by a campfire with family and friends and even being Karen’s number one ranch hand. (Oh no, not another post hole!) Anyone who knew him could guess there was an occasional beer involved.

Don’t feel sad for Dennis. He’s in a happy place now and we look forward to seeing him again with that big Thorson smile on his face.

Dennis is survived by his wife Karen and daughter Cori (Dick Straw), sister Janice and brothers Aaron (Pam), Mark (Colleen), and Shawn. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Gene and his grandparents.

Fall was a favorite time of year for Dennis so put on a flannel shirt and help us celebrate his life from 1-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Lewiston VFW Hall, 1104 Warner Ave., Lewiston. The family will have a private goodbye ceremony for Dennis at the family cabin. He loved it there.

Karen, Cori and our families have been overwhelmed by the support of good friends, doctors and caregivers who offered comfort and help during his long illness. As Dennis would say, “We’re lucky to have them.”

Service Information

Date & Time

Saturday, October 11, 1:00 PM

Location

Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall
1104 Warner Avenue
Lewiston, ID 83501

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