Obituary of Gusta Mae Thorsen
Gusta Mae Thorsen (nee Loobuyck) - May 17, 1927 - February 21, 2022.
Gusta, who went by “Gussie”, was the only child of Camiel and Maria Loobuyck who farmed in the Paddockwood area. Gussie went to Dorothy School for 9 years and then went to PACI in Prince Albert for Grade 10 and finally back to Paddockwood School. Gussie married Laurence Thorsen on February 2, 1947. They farmed in the Northside area (SW 25-52-26-W2). They had 8 children: Donald (Donna) Thorsen, Marlene Thorsen, Laurie Thorsen (June Derby), Bertha (Brian) Wright, Brenda (Richard) Bond, Cindy (Kenneth) MacDonald, Patricia Kachur (Don Best) and Kelly (Catherine) Thorsen. She was widowed in 1969 at the age of 42 when Laurence died of leukaemia. After Laurence's death Gussie, with the help of her children, was able to support her family with her grain and cattle farm. She worked hard to keep the farm going. After her children left home, Gussie was able to be a more active community member of the Northside/Paddockwood/Christopher Lake area. She participated in all the Christopher Lake Legion and Legion Auxiliary events. She enjoyed curling until she injured her knee and then was a regular 50/50 salesperson and a curling spectator. She enjoyed playing bingo and sometimes was the Bingo caller. She was an active member of the seniors group in Christopher Lake, and also loved to golf and pick berries. She took painting lessons from Frances Hanson, took ceramic lessons, and did some cross-stitch and embroidery. Gussie loved her yard, her garden and her plants and worked hard to keep her grass cut and the garden weeded. She enjoyed her family as it grew larger every year. Family get togethers were always big!
Gussie moved to Prince Albert when she needed more care. Kopera Care Home, River Breeze and the Mont St. Joseph Home Staff gave her care and support. Many thanks for all of their help.
Gussie will be lovingly remembered by her seven children; her 17 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents, Camiel and Maria Loobuyck; her husband, Laurence; her daughter and son-in-law, Bertha and Brian Wright; her son-in-law, George Doyle; her 8 brothers-in-law, 6 sisters-in-law; and her grandson, Kelly Best.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, April 30, 2022 at Calvary United Church, 114 25th Street East, Prince Albert, SK.
In lieu of other tributes, donations in memory of Gussie may be directed to the Alzheimer's Society of Saskatchewan, 1405 Faulkner Crescent, Saskatoon, SK, S7L 3R5, or the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 159, Box 99, Christopher Lake, SK, S0J 0N0.
Family and friends wishing to send condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home, Marianne Turcotte, Funeral Director, Prince Albert, SK (306) 763-3322.
