James Edward 'Chief, Red' Thomsen

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Thomsen, James Edward "Chief, Red" 87, died Saturday, February 9, 2019 from stroke related complications. He died in the company of his loving children. James was the seventh of nine children and grew up on a farm near McGrath, Minnesota. Living the proverbial American dream, James was a member of the Naval Air Reserve, where, as a plane captain of P2 Neptune patrol bombers, he traveled the world. He received a technical degree from Dunwoody College and worked for over 40 years as a sheet metal worker. James retired to a lake near Park Rapids Minnesota where he was active in water quality monitoring and the fight against aquatic invasive species. James was an outdoorsman, fisherman, hunter, role model, and always lived life with integrity, joy and humor. He was a wonderful husband and father to four children who are so thankful for his zest for living. He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years Catherine (Mollers) Thomsen. He is survived by his children Michael (Susan), Mark (Naomi), Cynthia (Chris), and James (Michelle); brother Vernon (Sue); 9 grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren. Funeral service will be held at 11AM with visitation one hour prior, on May 4th at Washburn-McReavy Edina chapel. The Thomsen family would like to thank the staff at Sunrise Manor, Golden Valley, for their loving care and attention. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC). Washburn-McReavy.com Edina Chapel 952-920-3996 West 50th St. & Hwy 100

Published on March 3, 2019