Lois Reiquam Thorson, 72, Minot and formerly of Glenburn died on Friday in her home from pancreatic cancer.

Lois was born on December 22, 1934 in Minot to Sherman and Irene (Rikala) Reiquam. She was raised in Glenburn and graduated from Glenburn High School and the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks with a bachelor of science degree in medical technology. While attending U.N.D. she was a member of the Delta Delta Delta Sorority.

Lois married Dick Thorson on August 23, 1957 in Grand Forks. They made their home in Sioux Falls, SD and Huron, SD where Lois was employed as a medical technician as well as in Chicago, IL and Hartford, Conn., prior to moving to Minot in 1965. While residing in Minot she was a full-time mother and wife and served as the property manager of the family real estate holdings. In addition, she and Bonnie Brekke established the first Minot day care in the basement of First Lutheran Church. She also cared for her mother for her mother's final 19 years. Dick died January 24, 2003.

Lois was a member of the First Lutheran Church and its Altar Guild, Deaconess Board, and church circle. She was a member of PEO Chapter AL, the Art Club and Women's Symphony League. She also served on MSU's Board of Regents. She was an active volunteer for the Norsk Hostfest and Meals on Wheels and a supporter of the Taube Art Museum and the Domestic Violence Crisis Center.

Lois' loving family includes: her children, Mark (Terri) Thorson of Scottsdale, AZ, Melissa (Darryl) Jouett of Cincinnati, OH, and Jon Thorson (Leslie Beaulieu) of Minot; grandchildren, Lindsay Thorson, Annalise and Richard Jouett, and Randi Thorson; sister, Martha "Marti" (David) Hoag of Boise, Idaho, and nephew, Christopher Hoag.

Lois was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and sister, Nancy Reiquam.

Funeral Service: Saturday December 8, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. in First Lutheran Church Minot.
Private interment will be in Fairview Cemetery Glenburn.
Visitation: There will be no reviewal but friends may sign a memorial register on Friday from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home Minot.
Memorials are preferred to Norsk Hostfest, the Minot Symphony Orchestra, First Lutheran Church, and the National Foundation for Cancer Research.