Thordis K. Danielson, 92, died July 24, 2013 at the Palliative Care Unit of Sanford Hospital, Fargo. Thordis was a resident of Sheyenne Crossings, West Fargo, and formerly of New Rockford, ND.

Thordis Katherine Lee was born June 8, 1921 to Lars and Helga (Bolstad) Lee. She grew up on a farm near Colfax along with eight brothers, four older and four younger. She graduated from high school in Colfax. Thordis married Terry La Fournaise in September 13, 1943, in Havre, Montana. Sgt. LaFournaise was a member of a B-24 Liberator bomber crew and shortly after their marriage, he was deployed to action. On January 21, 1944 he was killed in a plane crash in Aden, Yemen. Thordis returned to North Dakota and enrolled in NDAC (NDSU) to pursue a degree in Home Economics. She was a member of the Kappa Delta sorority. During summer breaks from college, she worked at the Canyon Hotel in Yellowstone National Park. On September 3, 1948 she was united in marriage to Vernon L. Danielson of Abercrombie, ND. Mr. Danielson was also enrolled at NDSU after serving as a commissioned officer in the US Navy during World War II. Thordis graduated from NDSU in 1949, with a degree in Home Economics Education.

The Danielsons moved to New Rockford, ND in 1950 and lived there for 57 years. Thordis taught Home Economics in Sheyenne, ND and New Rockford until 1973. During that time she had a positive impact on the lives of the many students she touched. In addition to the standard curriculum, she taught life skills and she made an effort to make each student feel special and respected. Over the years, Thordis educated 50 student teachers, of whom she was also very proud. She had a strong commitment to her students, and to advancement of her profession. She attended summer school classes at NDSU and served in leadership positions in professional education organizations. She was awarded a lifetime membership in the American Vocational Education organization to recognize her years of contributions to that organization.

Thordis was a member of First Lutheran Church, Minerva Club, and Pioneer Daughters. She participated in organizing community events, including a centennial celebration for New Rockford. She joined two others in writing a book which commemorated the history of that city.

Her husband, Vernon, died in 2004. In 2007 she moved to Sheyenne Crossings in West Fargo, first residing in the independent living apartments and later in the skilled nursing facility. She enjoyed her many friends at Sheyenne Crossings and the staff members who took good care of her.

Thordis is survived by one daughter, Katherine (Randall) Seifert of Walker, Minnesota, three brothers, Herbert (Shirley) Lee of Lacey, Washington, Willard (Betty) Lee of Winter Park, Florida, and Clayton (Joan) Lee of Abercrombie, North Dakota. She is also survived by sisters-in-law, Pearl Lee, Fargo, Sylpha Lee, Abercrombie, and Alice Holmes, Portland Oregon, along with 26 nieces and nephews and life-long friend, Doris B. Johnson of Fargo.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Vernon Danielson, brothers, Melford Lee, Oswald Lee, Arthur Lee, Oscar Lee, and Kenneth Lee, and nephew Duane K. Lee.