Pastor Henry E. Thorberg Obituary (1946 - 2020)

Pastor Henry E. Thorberg passed away on June 6, 2020 at his home in Lincoln, Nebraska. He was born to William and Esther Peterson on December 21, 1946. Henry was their sixth of 10 children. Henry was baptized at First Lutheran Church in Kearney, NE in 1947. In 1952 he joined Severin, Mabel, and Myron Thorberg in Albion, NE. At the age of five, he knew he wanted to become a pastor. During the year of 1955, Henry officially became a Thorberg. He was confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church, Albion, NE in 1962. He graduated from Albion High School, and then he went onto Dana College in Blair, Nebraska. During his seminary years, through his brother Harvey, he was introduced to Cheryl Larson (of Minneapolis) as a chaperone on a youth hayrack ride. They were married in September of 1970 at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd. He graduated from Luther Seminary in 1973 in St Paul. During his 47 years of ministry, he served Immanuel Lutheran in Bethune Colorado, American Lutheran in Belleville, Kansas, Christ Lutheran in Stover, Missouri, Grace Lutheran in Cook, Nebraska, Immanuel Lutheran in Rock Rapids, Iowa, and finally American Lutheran in Lincoln, Nebraska. It was Henry's dream to always come back to Nebraska and serve another congregation. He loved being a pastor at American Lutheran Church here in Lincoln for twelve years. He retired on January 1, 2017 from the ELCA church. After his retirement, he supplied at Redeemer Lutheran in Indianola, Iowa in June 2018. He already was loved there as a Grandpa and was welcomed as a pastor filling in on Father's Day for a congregation in need. He loved his Cornhuskers, and he always listened or watched them in every state he lived! He enjoyed building, painting, preaching, writing, fishing with brothers Harvey Nelson, Myron Thorberg, son Kyle Thorberg, and grandsons. In the morning, he would spend a good coffee time doing crossword puzzles and Sudoku. He entertained his congregations by dressing up in wacky outfits' telling Ole and Lena jokes, showing off dance moves to grandchildren and playing all kinds of games. Pinochle was his favorite especially with family. He is survived by his beloved wife Cheryl of almost 50 years, his two beloved daughters: Kari (Eric) Borlaug and their three children (Katelyn, Madison, and Nathan), Kyna (Shane) Anthony and their daughter (Grace), and his beloved son: Kyle (Jessica) Thorberg and his three sons (Sevryn, Tobiah, and Carson). He also is survived by his brothers and sisters: Sanah (Steve) Miller of Phoenix, AZ , Lee Etta Pester of Beatrice, NE, Connie (Gerry) Gaukel of Casper, WY, brothers, Harvey (Marie) Nelson of Willmar, MN, DeWayne (Nikki) Slaughter, Charles (Pam) Miller, and Myron Thorberg of Davenport, IA. Henry was preceded in death, by his parents, Severin and Mabel, his sister-in-law Sheila Thorberg, his sister Donna Cunningham, and brothers William Dwinnells and James Ball. Visitation: Wednesday, June 10, 2020 from 3-6PM with family present after 4PM at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home (5200 R Street) A Private family funeral will be held on Thursday, June 11, 2020 and a public Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Carol Joy Holling Outdoor Ministries, American Lutheran Roof Fund or First Lutheran Church.