Arne Willard Thorsgaard

Arne Willard Thorsgaard, age 86, formerly of Hastings, Minnesota, passed away on August 21st, 2015, at the Northwood Deaconess Health Care Center in Northwood, ND. Willard was born October 24, 1928 to Arne and Clara (Markve) Thorsgaard of rural Northwood. He grew up on the family farm and attended Northwood High School before graduating from Oak Grove High School in Fargo. He served two years in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, and was a Social Worker for 30 years. Willard worked in a number of areas of social work, but for the last 24 years was with Child Protective Services of Hennepin County, MN. Although child abuse and neglect is the highest level and generally regarded as the most strenuous or difficult in social work, Willard liked his work and missed it after he left.
Following retirement, Willard enjoyed traveling. He toured all the states and Canadian provinces as well as over 70 countries. He enjoyed visiting historical places, liked nature, and was especially fond of animals. He also liked reading, skiing, music, poker and motorcycling.
Willard was preceded in death by his parents, Arne and Clara Thorsgaard, sister Anna (Adolph) Kordahl, brother Harold (Doris) Thorsgaard, and his twin brother Arthur Wallace Thorsgaard.
He is survived by a daughter Debra (Paul) Burkhardt of White Bear Lake, MN, two grandchildren, Clara and Ryan, and brother Enoch (Madeline) Thorsgard of Northwood.
A private memorial service and interment will be held at the Northwood South Cemetery.