Martin Henry Thorkildsen

24 February 1935 – 26 September 2015

Martin Henry Thorkildsen died at his home in Everett, WA on 26 September 2015. He was 80 years old.

Martin (known to friends as “Marty”) was the fourth child born to Henry and Marie (Santeford) Thorkildsen of Everett. Since his elder brother did not survive long enough to receive a name, Marty was raised as the only son (with two sisters) and was known as “Sonny” by family members.

Marty grew up playing in the streets and neighborhoods of north Everett. Most of his childhood memories were centered around the family home on the 1700 block of Rockefeller Avenue, across the street from Washington (Elementary) School. As he got older, Marty would hang out with his buddies at a small grocery store/meat market near 19th and Broadway where a friend’s brother who worked there would slip them beer and cigarettes out behind the store. It was here that Marty first noticed “that pest of a little blond girl” who he would later refer to as his “soul mate”, Nora Ann Mikkelborg.

Marty entered Everett High School with the class of 1954, but dropped out to enlist in the U.S. Navy in 1952. The Navy sent him to boot camp at San Diego, CA, then on to the USS ORION (AS-18), a submarine tender undergoing overhaul at a shipyard in Tacoma, WA. About a year later, Marty was sent off to the Navy’s Damage Control School in Philadelphia, PA. Upon completing his training, he was promoted to the rank of Damage Controlman 3rd Class and re-assigned to the ORION, now out of the shipyard and homeported at Norfolk, VA. Marty remained aboard the ORION until the completion of his initial enlistment in 1956.

Upon discharge from the Navy, Marty returned to his home in Everett where he was allowed to re-enter Everett High School and earn his diploma with the Class of 1957. On 17 November 1956 Marty married Nora Ann Mikkelborg at Central Lutheran Church in Everett. They made their home at various locations in Everett, gradually working their way south as their family grew. In 1967 they finally settled in the Martha Lake area of what was then known as “Alderwood Manor”. It was there that his family reached its final size of five children, 3 sons (Duane, Kenneth and Roy) and 2 daughters (Ann and Nora Jean). In 1994, with all of their children grown and leading successful lives of their own, Marty and Nora decided it was time to downsize and return to Everett. They purchased a modest home in the Beverly neighborhood where they remained to the end.

After leaving the Navy Marty worked as a parts man in the automotive industry. Starting with “Al’s Auto Parts” in south Everett (near present day John L Fluke Company location) and eventually moving to large auto dealerships in Seattle, including Studebaker, Toyota, Chrysler, Datsun/Nissan and Ford. He finished his working career as a security guard at the Seattle Times building. Marty was also active in the community, serving as both assistant scoutmaster and scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 56 in Alderwood Manor; he was a past president of the Alderwood Manor Community Club; and served as an usher and greeter at Central Lutheran Church.

Marty was predeceased by his soul mate, Nora Ann (Mikkelborg) Thorkildsen; his parents, Henry and Marie (Santeford) Thorkildsen; and sister, Louise del Campo. He is survived by all five children, Duane (Theresa) Thorkildsen of Ft Collins, CO, Ken (Debbie) Thorkildsen of Marysville; Roy (Heather-Louise) Thorkildsen of Lynnwood; Ann (Kevin) Garrett of Honolulu, HI; and Nora Jean Thorkildsen of Everett; his sister and brother-in-law, Jean and Ron Castor of Plano, TX; brother-in-law Raymond del Campo of Long Beach, CA; ten grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces.

Friends and family are invited to gather for a short graveside memorial at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 9, 2015 at Cypress Lawn Memorial Park in Everett, WA. An open house will follow at Marty’s home from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made in Marty’s honor to his favorite charity, The United States Navy Memorial, or to any charity of your choosing. For more information about the United States Navy Memorial and to donate, see their website at www.navymemorial.org or call 1-800-821-8892.