Lynn Dorvan Tharaldson was born August 3, 1940, in Glenwood, Minnesota, to Ole and Alice Tharaldson. He was the middle child of 11, six brothers and four sisters, raised on a farm in Brooten, Minnesota. Having attended a one-room schoolhouse, he later graduated from Brooten High School, Concordia College in Moorhead and Luther Theological Seminary in St Paul. After Seminary, he accepted a position running the student union at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, where he met his wife, Rosie. They were married in June 1968, after her graduation, and moved to Minnesota.

After years in the corporate insurance world, he opted for more flexibility in his life by establishing his own company. Lynn was heavily involved in both the community and business life of Lakeville, having resided there for the past 50 years. He was considered one of founding members of the local Rotary Club, served as president of the St Paul GAMA (General Agents and Managers Associations), the Lakeville Area Chamber of Commerce, and Dollars for Scholars, as well as Rotary, and was considered a mentor to many. He was a gifted athlete, a beautiful vocalist and a self-taught engineer of sorts – there wasn't much he couldn't do. An extraordinarily kind and generous man, he would give you the shirt off his back – but likely not without teaching you to sew your own and also to create and run a business selling them.

Lynn lived his life first for God, but his family was a nearly indistinguishable second. He is survived by his wife Rosie, daughter Lyneia (spouse Bob Johnson and grandsons Taylor and Daemyen), son Derek (spouse Katie and grandsons Niko and Zak) and daughter Tiana (spouse Richard Black and granddaughter Brynley). Nothing made him prouder than the accomplishments of his grandchildren and any opportunity to spend time with family brought him great joy. Lynn was in a tragic car accident and the internal injuries were too great to overcome. While we may not have been ready for him to leave us, we know he was. He didn't fear death for he knew there was a greater place for him to be. He lived a very rich, full life and we were blessed to be a part of it.

Of his many siblings, brothers Delan and Donovan are now the only ones that remain as well as sisters-in-law Ruth and Sandy. Preceding him in death are his sisters Irene (Ken) Kowitz, Marge (Bob) Olson, Jean (Hi) Gates, Vicki (Jay) Hegman, brothers Harbee, Lon, Omer (June), Ernie (Kathi), and daughter Tia.

His memorial service will be held at 11am on Saturday, November 8, at Messiah Lutheran Church in Lakeville (16725 Highview Ave). A gathering of family and friends will be held at White Funeral Home in Lakeville (20134 Kenwood Trail) the evening before, Friday, November 7, from 5 to 8pm as well as one hour prior to service on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to TENTMAKERS, a non-profit organization in which Lynn served on the board.

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." –
Psalm 73:26

"Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven…" – Matthew 5:12

Condolences at: www.whitefuneralhomes.com