Frank Thomsen, Jr.

Frank William Thomsen, Jr. was born on October 15, 1948 to Frank Sr. and Hertha (Claussen) Thomsen at the Hendricks Hospital in Hendricks, Minnesota. He grew up with a large family as he was the third of six children. Frank attended the Lake Benton Public School in Lake Benton, Minnesota, where he enjoyed wrestling during his time there.

After his graduation from high school in 1968, Frank worked in the Power Line Construction industry for a few years. During his time working on power lines, he traveled to many states, including Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Minnesota and Montana. Frank worked for Twin City Fans in Elkton, South Dakota before he returned to Lake Benton to be with his parents and two of his siblings. Frank took over his father’s bee business; Thomsen’s Bees. He also worked alongside Mrs. Iver Andersen, another local beekeeper. When Frank wasn’t working with his bees, he enjoyed watching TV and gardening. He was a member of the Lake Benton Methodist Church.

Frank passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully on Monday, March 10, 2025, while surrounded by his family at the Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, at the age of 76 years, 4 months and 26 days.

Frank is survived by his brothers, Larry (Anita) Thomsen of Tyler, Minnesota and Charles Thomsen of Lake Benton, Minnesota; sister, Judy (Curtis) Johansen of Lake Benton; nieces, Tonia (Mike) Czech, Stacy (David) Riphagen, Erin (Kevin) Owen; nephew, Corey (Laura) Garritsen; his cousin, Frank Kalousek; and numerous grandnieces and grandnephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Sr. and Hertha Thomsen; his sisters, Theresa Garritsen and Patsy Chick; and brother-in-law Steven Garritsen.

A private family burial will take place at a later date.