Doris Ruth Thorstenson

Doris Ruth Thorstenson, 99, of Medford died August 8th of complications following a stroke.

She was born Doris Ruth Stroik on July 4, 1926 – the US sesquicentennial – in Stevens Point to Verona (Glodowski) Stroik, a cook, and Adam Stroik, chef at the Hotel Whiting and later owner of a dance hall in Custer, WI and a tavern in Stevens Point. In 1935, her father moved the family to Rhinelander when he became head chef at the Oneida Hotel. She attended St. Mary’s Grade School and Rhinelander High School, graduating in 1944. She played violin in the school orchestra and was an avid box-camera photographer.

Following graduation, she worked as a shipyard welder for L.D. Smith Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay, welding seams on frigates, subchasers and cargo vessels for service in World War II.

She married Ervin Thorstenson, recently discharged from the Army and employed as a conservation aide on June 15, 1946 in Rhinelander. They had five sons and one daughter. In June 1956, Ervin was promoted to Forest Ranger and transferred to the Wisconsin Conservation Department (now DNR) station in Medford. They lived in Medford for the rest of their lives. They were both active in Holy Rosary Church and School and operated a popcorn wagon in the summer months during from the 1960s to the 1980s.

She was preceded in death by her daughter Maria in 1979, her husband Ervin in 2000, and a granddaughter, Yozina in 2017. She is survived by her sons, Michael, of Las Vegas NV; Joseph of Anchorage, AK; Eric (Mary) of Roanoke, VA; Thomas of Embarrass, WI; and Victor (Cynthia) of Minneapolis, MN. She also leaves behind fifteen grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

Visitation will be Tuesday, August 12 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. The funeral mass will begin at 11:00 am there followed by a burial at Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery. Luncheon, greetings and memories will be served at the Holy Rosary social hall following the graveside rites.

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