Thorvald Aanden, age 92, of Fertile, MN, died Saturday, December 15, 2007 at the Fair Meadow Nursing Home in Fertile.

Thorvald Manvil Aanden was born September 17, 1915, the son of Henry and Tillie (Halvorson) Aanden at Isabel, South Dakota. He later moved with his family to Underwood, Minnesota, where he grew up and attended school. He was a confirmed member of Tingvold Lutheran Church there. As a young man, Thorvald did farm labor and drove truck until entering the United States Army on March 14, 1942. While in the Army, he was assigned to the 5th Armored Division, 47th Headquarters Company. He was a driver for several high ranking officers including General Patton, while those officers were on the frontlines of the war. During WWII he served from Utah Beach in Normandy to the Elbe River at the end of the war, including Northern France, Belgium, Germany, Rhineland, Ardennes and throughout all of Central Europe. While serving his country, Thorvald was awarded the Bronze Star for service above and beyond the call of duty. After the end of the war he was honorably discharged on October 7, 1945. Thorvald then returned to Underwood where he was employed by Underwood Creamery. On July 20, 1952, Thorvald was united in marriage to Clarice Fossum. The couple moved to the Fossum farm near Fertile where they operated the farm and raised their two sons. In 1986, Thorvald and Clarice moved into Fertile where they have lived since.

Thorvald was a member of Maple Bay Free Lutheran Church of Mentor and the Fertile American Legion Post #238. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping and was an avid Minnesota Twins fan.

Thorvald is survived by his wife of 55 years, Clarice of Fertile, MN; sons, Harry (Penny) of Fertile, MN and Chester of Beltrami, MN and family friend Jodi of Crookston, MN; six grandchildren, one great-granddaughter; three sisters, Edith (Norwald) Nielsen of Omaha, Nebraska, Ella (Charles) Graff of Creston, Iowa and Laura (Donald) Walls of Kenamiah, Idaho.

Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, December 19th at 11:00 AM at Maple Bay Free Lutheran Church, rural Mentor, Minnesota. Visitation will be two hours before services at the church on Wednesday. Officiating will be Pastor Bruce Dalager with Bonnie Skanson serving as organist and Courtney Todahl and Jerry Erickson as vocalists. Pallbearers will be Jenna Aanden, Jacob Aanden, Lonnie Aanden, Chez Aanden, AnnaDee Aanden and Lanetta Tafelmeyer. Military honors will be by the American Legion and the VFW. Burial will be in Varness Lutheran Cemetery, rural Fertile.