Janice M. Rasmussen Thorson

Janice M. Rasmussen Thorson, age 57 of Litchfield, MN died on Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at home in Litchfield, MN surrounded by family and friends. A Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00 PM on Thursday October 4, 2018 at the Cornerstone Church in Litchfield. Visitation will be held one hour before the service at church. Interment will be held in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Grove City, MN. Janice Marlene Rasmussen Thorson was born on March 22, 1961 in Litchfield to Henry and Marion Rasmussen. She graduated from Litchfield High School in 1979 and from St. Cloud State University in 1985 with a BA in social work. She was always thoughtful and helpful in working with people to sort through difficult times. She could also be very witty and funny and turn sad times around so we could find the humor in it. In 1986 she met and fell in love with Cleveland Gordon. They were blessed with two children, Sybil Lizbeth and Caleb Burton. Cleveland died suddenly in 1994 and Janice raised the children by herself, with a little help from family and many friends. In 2011 her granddaughter Franquee was born and she was the light in Janice's life. In 2016 her grandson Cleveland was born and Janice was a proud and happy "Nana" of two beautiful, healthy and lively grandchildren. Her children and grandchildren changed her life forever in beautiful and profound ways. Their existence made her life fuller, more meaningful. In 2016 Janice renewed an old friendship with Jerry Thorson, they became close and on May 17, 2017 they were married. They had a wonderful honeymoon time together. But unfortunately, she was diagnosed with cancer and they had to return to earth and deal with that reality. Janice was a realist and dealt with cancer as she had with other difficulties in life, with determination and grace. She made decisions as she needed to and moved forward. She was loved dearly and will be missed by her friends and family. Janice is survived by her husband Jerry; children Sybil and Caleb; and grandchildren Franquee and Cleveland. She is also survived by her mother Marion Rasmussen; brother Ron Rasmussen (Karen); sisters Carolyn Griswold (Brent) and Bonita Leaf (Tom); and niece and nephews Rory Rasmussen (Lisa), Kara Johnson (Cody), Henry Leaf; and great niece Ellis Johnson. She was preceded in death by her father Henry Burton Rasmussen and great niece Kelly Jean Rasmussen. The family would like to thank Janice's close friend Robin Osture for her loving care for Janice during her last weeks.