Craig Thorstenson | November 21, 1954 - July 21, 2022
Obituaries-Mobridge / Posted Jul 27, 2022 | 4:32 PM / 489 views
Craig Thorstenson, 67, of Timber Lake, South Dakota, passed away at his home on July 21st, 2022. A private visitation was held at Kesling Funeral home for the immediate family. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held Sunday, Sept. 11th, 2022, at the Timber Lake Community Center at 2:30 PM Mountain Time. Anyone wishing to speak at the memorial should contact the family in advance.
On November 21st, 1954, Craig Calvin Thorstenson was born to Calvin Thorstenson and his wife in Mclaughlin, South Dakota. He joined an older sister and later a younger brother. He went on to graduate from the Mclaughlin High School, while at the same time starting work on what would later become his own ranch near Timber Lake. He would later marry for the first time and have 2 children born from this union, Cyle and Amy. After his first marriage ended, he raised his 2 children and they formed a strong family bond, while continuing the family ranch together.
With a bit of angelic help, Craig would go on to meet the love of his life, Dusty. They were married in May 2002 at a private ceremony on the ranch. He welcomed a step-son Dairen into the family, and in February of 2003, carefully avoiding calving season, another son, Elijah James, was born.
Craig was a loving husband and father to all his children. He was a Cowboy, Cattleman and Rancher, doing what he loved most and passing those traditions down to his family. He loved a good big-circle horse and was always looking for one who could make the rounds quickly without tiring. More than once, he and his Little Black roped a bull that outweighed them both and brought the bull home to the corral. He raised Red Angus and Charolais-cross cattle throughout his years ranching and was proud of his Rainbow Herd and the many fine, tan bull calves he raised. He also learned to tolerate the womenfolk’s stubborn tendency to cull replacement heifers on the basis of disposition. One passion of his was to produce cattle suited to South Dakota weather that could gain most efficiently on basic rations. A good lead cow or herd protector could always earn a permanent spot in the bunch. His cows always watched for the Boss and knew his voice.
He started the family’s Quarter Horse program with a handful of mares centered around the Laughing Boy and old Foundation bloodlines. His home-raised red dun stallion, Laughing Copper, was the cornerstone of his program. He passed down his knowledge and love for horses to his daughter and together they raised AQHA horses and later started an Appaloosa program. This legacy continues as Amy works to fine-tune the breeding programs.
He is survived by his wife Dusty Thorstenson, son Cyle (Kristy) Thorstenson of Rapid City, daughter Amy Thorstenson, son Dairen Kollmar of Rapid City, youngest son Elijah Thorstenson, his saddlehorse Buckshot and dogs Shade and Skeeter of rural Timber Lake, sister Cindy Dresow of Florida, brother Collin T.C. Thorstenson of Arizona, nephew Cody (Meg) Thorstenson of Arizona; and many more relatives and extended family.