Leonard Ole Thoreson

Leonard Ole Thoreson, 98, of Glen Arbor, passed away peacefully on March 15, 2025, with his wife Sally and his family by his side. Leonard was born on November 28, 1926, in Port Oneida (on the Thoreson Farm), Michigan, to Ole and Louise Thoreson. From a young age, he worked on his father’s farm with his 3 brothers and 3 sisters. As a young boy his father worked the fields with horses until Leonard purchased the Ford Tractor that is on the farm today. During these years he developed a strong work ethic, and a generous spirit. In the farming community of Port Oneida, during difficult times, neighbors took care of each other, always lending a helping hand to those in need. That kindness and work ethic made a lasting impact on him and stayed with him the rest of his life. A lifelong resident of Leelanau County, Leonard proudly called Glen Arbor Township home. He honorably served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was a dedicated member of St. Philip Neri Catholic Church. Above all, Leonard was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He met the love of his life, Salome (Sally) at a dance in Cedar. He walked across the dance floor to ask her to dance. It is unknown which of them were more nervous. On October 14, 1950, they were married at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Cedar, MI. For the first few years of their marriage, they lived on the Farm with Leonard’s parents. After two years they had 2 children, Ronald and Robert, and together they built a beautiful life. They then moved to Glen Arbor where their 3rd child was born Barbara. At that time Leonard began building a home for his family in Glen arbor on M22 with lumber that was logged off the Thoreson Farm. He built the basement first and lived there while they finished the upper two stories. Their 4th child Lawrence was born. Before he had completed the main house his mother (Louise) broke her leg walking down the stairs and Leonard, Sally packed up their four kids and moved to the farm to help his parents. Once his mother recovered, they moved back to Glen Arbor to continue work on their house. A few years later his father (Ole) had a stroke while picking apples and was not able to work on the farm. Leonard and Sally once again packed up their family and moved to the farm. At this Point Leonard was working for Leelanau County Road Commission as an equipment operator in the summer and a snowplow driver in the winter. The days were long; he milked cows in the morning, went to work, came home and milked the cows again. He often only saw his children at dinner. But he often said that we were a very happy family. They moved back to Glen arbor, finished their house and welcomed their 5th Child James. Leonard was an active member of his community, serving as a member of the Glen Arbor volunteer fire department, and as a Boy Scout leader, guiding and inspiring young minds. He also was on the Glen Arbor Township Board. When he wasn’t working or volunteering, he enjoyed the outdoors and his wife Sally, and their youngest son James would take his camper to the Upper Peninsula to camp along Lake Superior. They particularly liked Tahquamenon Falls in the Fall, and their youngest son loved watching the ore freighters make their way through the Sault Locks. He also loved to ride his bike. Something he did until he was 95 years old. He would often ride to the Post Office in Glen Arbor or take the Heritage Trail from Glen Arbor to Glen Haven. He could often be seen talking to a local or a visitor about the history of the Port Oneida area, he particularly loved telling stories about the Thoreson Farm. He worked as a volunteer for the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore and helped keep the vegetation out of the fields and help the construction crews as they work to fix up the farmhouse and outbuildings. He was interviewed by Tom Van Zoren to develop the history of the Port Oneida Historical District which has resulted in several publications about the Thoreson Farm and surrounding farms. His favorite thing to do was to talk to visitors during Port Oneida Fair about what it was like to grow up on the farm, before cars, electricity and telephones. After he retired, he took a part time job as the maintenance engineer for the Town Hall in Glen Arbor. His neighbor Ron remembers that on winter mornings if he didn’t get up early enough, he would find Leonard blowing snow out of his driveway. If a tree was down, or a fence needed mending Leonard could be counted on to lend a hand or to just fix it. Ron thought highly of Leonard, and Leonard thought highly of Ron as well. Any time day or night Leonard could be found in his basement workshop fixing or improving something. This is where he earned the nickname "The Fix-It Man”. He is preceded in death by his father Ole Thoreson, his mother Louise Thoreson his siblings John Thoreson, Delina Thoreson, Madeline (Sister Karen), Rudy Thoreson, Bernice Trotochaud, and Kenneth Thoreson, Daughter-in-Law Amy Thoreson and Granddaughter Amber Thoreson. He is survived by his wife Sally His Children Ronald (Barb)Thoreson, Robert (Kathi) Thoreson, Barbara (Barry) Mazurek, Lawrence (Dawn) Thoreson and James (Amy) Thoreson. His love extended to his 16 grandchildren, and 26 great-grandchildren. Leonard’s legacy of kindness, service, and love for his family and community will be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, from 4-7pm at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at St. Phillips of Neri Catholic Church at 11am with visitation at 10am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made out to Glen Lake Fire Department. The family would like to thank the staff at Maple Valley Nursing Home and Hospice for the care that Leonard received in his final days. The Family would also like to thank dad’s friend Bert who has been a constant companion and dear friend to dad’s during his last 3 years at Maple Valley Nursing Home. Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories with Leonard’s family at his tribute page at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com. The family is being cared for by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services

Leonard Ole Thoreson

November 28, 1926 - March 15, 2025