Background
Thorkelson, Willmar was born on June 15, 1918 in Trail, Minnesota, United States. Son of William and Lena (Langseth) Thorkelson.
freelance/self-employed journalist
Thorkelson, Willmar was born on June 15, 1918 in Trail, Minnesota, United States. Son of William and Lena (Langseth) Thorkelson.
Bachelor of Arts, Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota, 1936-1940; Little D. (honorary), Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota, 1962; Master of Arts, University Minnesota, 1948.
Reporter, Bismarck (North Dakota) Tribune, 1940-1941;
assistant editor, Detroit Lakes (Minnesota) Tribune, 1941;
teaching assistant, University of Minnesota, 1941-1942;
member of staff, Minneapolis Star, 1942-1982;
religion editor, Minneapolis Star, 1946-1982;
free-lance writer and columnist, 30 Minnesota daily and weekly newspapers, since 1982. Press officer World Council Churches, Geneva, Switzerland, 1948-1949. Corr.Religious News Service.
Past secretary, director Augsburg Public House.
Past secretary, director Greater Minneapolis Council Churches. Development advisory board International Language Villages of Concordia College. Campaign board College Liberal Arts, University Minnesota.
Member Religion Newswriters Association (president 1962-1964, Supple award 1955), Nordmanns-Forbundet, Sons of Norway, Sigma Delta Chi.
Married Maxine B. Mohn, June 22, 1945. Children: Susan, Peter.