OTTAWA – Harriet D. “Grandma Hat” Thorsen, age 96, of Ottawa, passed away Tuesday night, June 21, 2016, at La Salle County Nursing Home.
Funeral services celebrating her life will be held Friday, July 1, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Crossbridge Community Church of the Nazarene with Pastor Sherry Stevenson officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. till service time Friday morning at the church. Burial will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park. Gladfelter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Harriet was born November 20, 1919 in Fargo, North Dakota, the daughter of Harry and Lily (Johnson) Robinett. She married John W. Thorsen on July 9, 1940 in Ottawa. He preceded her in death. Surviving are her children, Peggy (Glenn) Perdue of Ottawa and Ed (Carol) Thorsen of Sebring, FL; grandchildren, Geoffrey (Ann) Thorsen, Laurie (Gale) Jenkins, Joyce (Rick) Denen, Julie (Tony) Morales, Chris (Karen) Thorsen, and Brenda (Tim) Butts; 13 great grandchildren; 9 great great grandchildren; two brothers, Ed (Char) Robinett of Ottawa and Bob (Charlotte) Robinett of Eli, MN; and one sister, Ruth Lilley of Bourbonnais. She was preceded in death by one son, John Eldon Thorsen, and three sisters, Jane Jenkins, Thelma Davis, and Mae Flicker.
Harriet was the last charter member of Crossbridge Community Church of the Nazarene. She loved cooking and baking, her many specialties being homemade dinner rolls, chicken, spaghetti, and baked potatoes. She was an avid game player, her favorites being Bingo, board games, cards, and trivia games. She loved doing for others and cherished her time spent with her family. Memorial contributions may be directed to Crossbridge Community Church or to the family to memorialize Harriet at La Salle County Nursing Home.
Harriet has been laid to rest in the Garden of Inspiration.