May 25, 2011

Phyllis Thorland

Phyllis Thorland, 79, of Watford City, N.D., more recently of Williston, N.D., died Thursday, May 19, 2011, at Mercy Medical Center in Williston. Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, May 23, 2011, at First Lutheran Church in Watford City. Intern Pastor Rob Favorite officiated, and interment followed at Schafer Cemetery in Watford City.
Friends may sign the online register and give their condolences at www.fulkersons.com.
Phyllis Yvonne Thorland was born Sept. 27, 1931, to Mabel (Skoglund) and Arthur C. Nelson. She grew up in the Garden Community north of Watford City. She was confirmed in the Garden Church. She attended grade school at the Nelson school, and graduated from Watford City High School.
She attended Minot State College and obtained her teaching certificate. She returned to Watford City and taught at two of the local rural schools. After teaching, she worked as a legal secretary for a law firm in Watford City.
She met her future husband, Leslie Thorland, and they were married Feb.  19, 1955, at her parents’ farm. She and Les raised six children. When the kids were born, she retired from her outside work to raise her family.
Phyllis enjoyed raising her children, and her grandchildren were the highlight of her life. She enjoyed gardening, counted cross-stitch and hardanger. Some of her favorite trips involved family picnics to Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
In later years, she enjoyed trips out to the Garden Community, discussing the many happy memories she had growing up. She also enjoyed visiting with friends, her birthday club friends, as well as the frequent whist parties during the winter months.
Phyllis is survived by her husband of 56 wonderful years, Les, and her children: Barbara (Mark) Austreim of Williston, Diane Thorland of Williston, Michael Thorland of Marysville, Wash., Miles (Jennifer) Thorland of Ft. Collins, Colo., Mark Thorland of Watford City, and her daughter-in-law, Jehan Thorland, of Bellevue,Wash. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Melissa and Marcus Austreim (Barb and Mark Austreim), Eric Thorland (Steven and Jehan Thorland), and Cory, Tyler, and Amber Thorland (Miles and Jennifer Thorland); her sister, Arlene (Nelson) Wold, and brother, Gerald Nelson.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur C. and Mabel Nelson, and her son, Steven Thorland.

WATFORD CITY WEATHER