Glen Loren Thormodsgaard

Glen Loren Thormodsgaard was born on June 12th, 1948, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to parents Nels and Myrtle (Hendrickson) Thormodsgaard. He entered into death on June 28th, at the Denver Hospice Center in Aurora, Colorado, at the age of 73 years and 16 days.

Glen grew up on a farm near Alcester, South Dakota. He loved that farm, and he loved helping his dad with the chores. His early education came from a one-room rural school named Elmwood. From there, he moved on to Alcester High School, where he was elected both class president and homecoming king. After graduating from AHS in 1966, Glen attended South Dakota State University for one year before accepting a job with John Morrell, a meat packing plant in Sioux Falls. He would later use the skills he developed there to become a meat cutter for various supermarkets in Denver, Colorado. He also worked for an insurance company and a window company before retiring from Safeway. 

In July of 1971, Glen married Donna Cooper. Their first child, Kari Marie, was born in February of 1974. A son, Jeffrey Glen, followed in April of 1978. Donna Cooper and Glen later divorced.

In March of 1983, Glen married Donna Zaffer. Their son, Gary Lee, was born in August of 1984. Donna Zaffer and Glen later divorced.

Glen was an avid and knowledgeable sports fan, and he was intensely loyal to each of Denver’s professional sports teams. He greatly enjoyed watching the Broncos, the Rockies and the Nuggets. He also loved playing sports, though his knees would cause him pain from the time he injured them playing high school football. When he was a young man, he played in fast pitch softball leagues, and he skied. He enjoyed golfing up until the last years of his life. He also loved to sing, and he had a beautiful voice.

It did not take much to make Glen happy. What Glen enjoyed more than anything else were his family and friends. He especially loved his children and grandchildren and was very proud of them. He was always friendly, with an easy smile and a twinkle in his eyes. He loved people, and they loved him. And he adored his cat, Pretty Girl. Glen also faithfully attended and was a long-time member of Colorado Community Church. His special friend, Shirley Everet, and he enjoyed attending church and then afterwards frequenting one of Glen’s favorite local restaurants, Rosie’s.

Glen is survived by his daughter, Kari (Thormodsgaard) Dennison and husband, Gregg; sons, Jeff Thormodsgaard and Gary Thormodsgaard; siblings, Kathy (Thormodsgaard) Osvog, Rod Thormodsgaard, and Victoria Thormodsgaard; grandchildren, Lily, Laura and Luke Dennison; nephew, Jason Osvog, and niece, Alysa Osvog; special friend, Shirley Evert; close family friend, Donna Cooper; long-time friends, Richard Bates and Juan Romero; and many other friends and relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents, Nels and Myrtle Thormodsgaard; and one brother, Neil Thormodsgaard.

Family requests that any donations in Glen’s honor be sent to attn: donations, Denver Hospice, 8289 E. Lowry Blvd., Denver, CO 80230. Or you can donate online at thedenverhospice.org.