Aug. 22, 1936 – July 1, 2010


Lenus E. "Len" Thorstad of Waukesha passed away Thursday, July 1, 2010, at Waukesha Memorial Hospital at the age of 73. He was born in Mankato, Minn., on Aug. 22, 1936, a son of the late Edwin and Mildred (Laingen) Thorstad.

He attended local schools and was a 1954 graduate of Lake Crystal High School. Len went on to serve in the Navy as a radioman aboard the battleship USS New Jersey. Following his honorable discharge, Len attended Mankato State College, graduating with a bachelor’s and master’s degree. Len was married to Phyllis (Nevin) on Aug. 1, 1964, and they raised two sons. He had done post-graduate work at the University of Nebraska and taught at the high school level in Wisconsin and Minnesota. He had also taught at the college level in South Dakota, Nebraska and Wisconsin, retiring from Waukesha County Technical College after 26 years.

Len was an avid cyclist riding with a core group of former teachers from WCTC. He and his wife had also been involved with a cross-country skiing group in earlier years. He enjoyed camping with friends and family at Bark River Campground and golfing. A longtime member of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Len also served as an usher. He had volunteered with the Salvation Army’s "snack-pack" program and was a member of the Wise Old Owls group made up of retirees from WCTC. Len’s greatest joy was time with family, and he made all of his grandchildren’s sporting events a priority. He will be sadly missed.

Len is survived by his loving wife of nearly 46 years, Phyllis; his sons, Kevin (Jenny) Thorstad of Muskego and Chad (Diane) Thorstad of Theresa; as well as his grandchildren, Madeline and Lucas. He also leaves a brother, Gordy Thorstad of Brainard, Minn., other family members and friends.

Visitation for Len will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. today, July 6, at Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home, 237 N. Moreland Blvd., Waukesha. Visitation continues from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. funeral service Wednesday, July 7, at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 300 Carroll St., Waukesha, WI 53186. The Rev. Gary Liedtke will be officiating.

Memorials are appreciated to the family, which will later be donated to a charity.

Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home, Cremation and Pre-Planning Services is serving the family. For further information, please call 542-6609, or for directions, an online obituary or to leave a condolence, please visit www.waukeshasfuneralhome.com.