SUTHERLAND - Vernon Andrew John "Tom" Thomsen, 92, of Sutherland died July 25, 2007, at Linden Court in North Platte.

Vernon was born May 19, 1915, in Minden to Herman Sornsen and Mabel Grace Christensen Thomsen. At the age of 5, he moved with his family to Ingham where he grew up and graduated from high school at the age of 15.

Vernon attended Nebraska Wesleyan University and graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he played baseball and lettered in 1940.

On June 8, 1941, Vernon and Ethel May McNickle were married in Farnam in a double ceremony with Ethel's sister, Elaine, and Bernie Lindvall.

Vernon and Ethel had seven children. Vernon went on to teach vocational agriculture for two years before being called to serve his country in 1941 during World War II, where he worked for Army intelligence. Upon his discharge in 1946, Vernon and Ethel moved to Stratton where he continued teaching. In 1947, the family moved to Sutherland for 17 years where he started and taught in the vocational agriculture and FFA programs at Sutherland High School. During this time, he was superintendent at Red Willow. The family moved to Hershey and then Chappell where he was superintendent. While in Chappell, Vernon started and coached the girl's volleyball program.

He returned to Sutherland in 1972 to continue working as the superintendent and retired from there in 1980. Vernon then went on to sell insurance for Life Investors and was a substitute teacher in Hershey and Sutherland. Vernon had five passions: His family, education, sports, playing cards and having coffee with friends.

Vernon was a member and lay leader of the United Methodist Church in Sutherland. He was also a member of the American Legion Post No. 208 for 55 years, a charter member of the Lions Club, a life member of the Sutherland Chamber of Commerce, a board member of the Sutherland Senior Center and a member of the American School Administrators. He received an honorary state farmer degree in 1976. Vernon was an avid Husker fan, loved baseball and was the 2001 grand marshal of the Sutherland Fourth of July parade.

Survivors include three daughters, Carol (Don) Moore of Tryon, Jan Aden and special friend, Gary Phipps of North Platte and Kim (Brian) Miller of Lincoln; a daughter-in-law, Kathy Thomsen of Lexington; 12 grandchildren, Casey (Tricia) Aden, Brandon Aden, Kelli (Jace) Backman, Rod Fisher, Sheila Fisher, Jon Miller, Karlie Miller, Kerri (Tony) Miller, Marty (Les) Griess, Rusty (Jennifer) Moore, Jeff (Rayan) Moore and Justin (Bri) Moore; 18 great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Loree Thomsen of Gothenburg; a brother-in-law, Dale (Lola) McNickle of North Platte; and many nieces, nephews and other family.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ethel, in 2006; his parents; two daughters, Joan Thomsen and Patricia Brown; two sons, Dennis and Kenneth Thomsen; great-granddaughter, Danika Moore; brother, Wayne Thomsen; and a sister, Evelyn Dow.

A memorial has been established for the Thomsen Family Educational Scholarship Fund and can be sent to Carol Moore at 105 Moore Drive, Tryon, NE 69167.

Funeral services will be at 11:30 a.m. Monday at the United Methodist Church in Sutherland with Pastor Harun Gatobu officiating. Burial with military honors will be in Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell.

Visitation will be from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and Saturday and from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore in North Platte, and before the service Monday at the church.

North Platte Telegraph, 27 July 2007