Gorden Thon, 80, Harvey, ND died Friday, Dec. 23 at the Arizona Regional Medical Center in Apache Junction.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 31, 2011 at the Mennonite Brethren Church, Harvey, ND.

Burial will be in Sunnyside Cemetery, Harvey, ND.

Visitation will be 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30 at Hertz Funeral Home, Harvey, ND.

Gorden Alvin Thon was born March 23, 1931 at the Harvey hospital to Fred and Johanna (Hove) Thon. He grew up 12 miles south of Harvey, ND and attended a nearby country school. Gorden was baptized and confirmed at St. Petri Church. He began farming with his two brothers in 1949 on his grandfather's homestead. On March 1, 1953 Gorden married the love of his life, Leona Rau in Harvey. They started out farming south of Harvey, and in 1956 he and Leona built a new home and farmstead north of his parents' farm. They were blessed with two daughters, Sandy and Sally. Gorden was a skilled carpenter and began doing construction work in 1960. He built 98 homes, a Catholic Church, several apartments, hundreds of feet of cabinets, and worked on many additions and remodeling projects. He also developed the Sunrise addition of Harvey. His attention to detail and strong work ethic were evident in his craftsmanship. In 1971 he built their home in Harvey.

Gorden loved the Lord and served faithfully in the church in many areas, including the church board and Luther League. He is a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Harvey. The greatest joy of his life was spending time with his wife, daughters and sons-in-law, and grandchildren. He and Leona were best friends during their 58 years of marriage and devoted their lives to loving and serving God, each other, and others. He enjoyed music, playing games, fishing, a good Norwegian joke, and woodworking. Gorden also loved to travel with his family. They visited 48 states, Mexico and 5 Canadian provinces together. Gorden and Leona enjoyed 29 winters in Apache Junction, AZ.

Gorden is survived by his wife, Leona of Harvey; daughters, Sandy (Mark) Tungseth of Drayton, North Dakota and Sally (Mark) Wagner of Kennedy, MN; five grandchildren, Mandi (Tyler) Soltvedt, Joshua Tungseth, Alyssa (Fabrice) Kunzi, Kayla (Travis) Huerkamp, and Kimberly Wagner; great-grand-daughter, Norah Soltvedt; nieces and nephews and many friends. Gorden was preceded in death by parents, Fred and Johanna Thon; baby sister, Florence and sister, Inez Anhorn; brothers, Lawrence and Marvin; sisters-in-law, Vera, Edna, and Mary; and brother-in-law, Erven Anhorn. Gordon passed away on Friday December 23, 2011 at the Arizona Regional Medical Center in Apache Junction, AZ. Blessed be the memory of Gorden Thon.