Onda Thorstensen

Onda Langford Thorstensen

April 5, 1915 ~ February 21, 2015

Onda Langford Thorstensen departed from “this good old earth” as she called it, on February 21, 2015, nearly a century after her birth on April 5, 1915.  She was born in Junction, Utah to Nina Jensen and John Lyman Langford.  She had many memories of her early years in Piute County.

After moving to Ogden, Onda attended local schools graduating from Weber High School.  She continued her education at Weber Academy, where she earned a teaching certificate and taught school for a year at Burch Creek Elementary before meeting George Thorstensen.  They married in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on June 25, 1937, and raised four children.

Onda helped George manage the Emporium Department Store for many years.  After the store closed, mother completed her education Magna Cum Laude from Utah State University and taught 3 ^rd grade at Horace Mann Elementary.  In 1978 Onda received the “Teacher of the Year” award which she was very proud of.

Onda enjoyed gardening, golfing, sewing, and being a wonderful, loving, but strict mom.  She was a member of a few women’s organization; Coronet, Agelia, Alpha Delta Kappa, and the Daughter of Utah Pioneers. (Many of her ancestors were early settlers and church leaders in Central Utah.)

Onda was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Ogden 41st Ward (now Waterfall Canyon Ward).  She held several organizational positions in the church and was a true believer in prayer.  Her faith never wavered.

Onda is survived by her children, Sharol (Reed) Bentley, John (Marilyn) Thorstensen, Lawrence Schreiner (son-in law), Linda Thorstensen (daughter-in-law), and a nephew Kirk (BeJe) Langford.  She was preceded in death by a son, Greg Thorstensen, and a daughter, Lael Sue Schreiner.  Onda has 16 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

The family would like to thank her neighbors, friends, ward members, the caregivers at ResCare (especially Carol Davis), the staff of Hospice (Tami, Karen, and Miller), as well as the staff at Wasatch Care for their kindness in her last days.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 27, 2015 at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd.  Friends may visit with the family on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Friday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary.   Interment, Evergreen Memorial Park.