City News

CITY NEWS In Rememberance

Vernon Thorson

Long-time City Superintendent, City of Fort Pierre

Vernon Stuart  Thorson, 64, of  Fort Pierre, SD, died Nov. 10,  2022, at his home following a battle  with pancreatic  cancer. Services  were held Nov.  18 at Lutheran  Memorial Church in Pierre, SD. Burial  was in Scotty Philip Cemetery at Fort  Pierre, SD.

Vernon Thorson was born on March  13, 1958, in Pierre, SD and grew up  north of Hayes. He attended Rural  Stanley County Country School and  graduated from Riggs High School in  1976. Vernon married Susan Davis  in 1979 and they were blessed with  two children, Amy and Lee. In 2000,  he married Holly Glines and gained  three stepchildren, Joey, Adam, and  Meagen.

Vernon worked for Morris Irrigation,  Norm Nystrom, and for the City of  Pierre before joining the City of Fort  Pierre on Feb. 2, 1998, begining a  career that would lead to his becoming  City Superintendent. Vernon took a  great deal of pride and ownership  in his job. He set a high standard of  excellence and strong work ethic. He  built a team that is second to none,  setting safety and longevity records  and providing the city with effi  cient,  consistent, and quality maintenance.

Vernon was a pillar to the Fort Pierre  community and was always doing  something to better it. In 2011, he  played an instrumental role during the  Ft. Pierre fl ood. Vernon put in endless  hours organizing crew members and  helping to plan and organize the  levies that saved the community that  he held near and dear to his heart.  He was an active board member of  the Pat Duffy Community Center for  over a decade, where he was part of  many things like Trader Days, Race  for the Roses, Country Cookin’, and  other community dinners and picnics.  He loved the Fourth of July and for  the past 24 years he organized  and supervised the parade in Fort  Pierre. This task was one of the most  important events every year to Vernon  and he was always trying to better it  every year for the community. He was  a great friend and mentor to many and  will be sadly missed.

Memorials can be directed to the Pat  Duffy Community & Youth Involved  Center, PO Box 215, Fort Pierre, SD  57532. ■