Oscar L. Thunberg

Oscar’s eyes were full of life, intelligence, and humor. His positive outlook on life uplifted us. Oscar was preceded in death by parents, Oskar and Inga (Ekberg) Thunberg; sisters, Dagmar (Thunberg) Milne and Karin (Thunberg) Erwin and by his beloved wife of 64 years, Verlynn (Griffis) Thunberg. Oscar is survived by his three children: Douglas, Larry (Deborah) and Lisa Rice (Troy). He is also survived by his granddaughter, Sophie Thunberg.

Oscar lived a remarkable life. He was born on December 19th, 1924 in Matfors, Sweden. A couple of years later, Oscar traveled with his widowed mother and older sisters to Ellis Island to embark upon a new life in Nebraska. Oscar also served with the Army in WWII and was stationed in Hawaii. He met his wife, Lynn (Verlynn), in college and they were married August 14, 1949 in Cozad, NE. Through farm life in Nebraska, further education at Kearney State College and Texas A&M, and building a family in Colorado, Oscar developed many skills. He was a science teacher who built houses as a sideline, a World Book Encyclopedia Regional Sales Manager, a realtor and then Broker/Owner of a ReMax office in Colorado Springs. Oscar's co-workers knew they could talk to him, receive positive support and sometimes hear a silly joke. A bright smile to match the brightness of his heart, Oscar connected easily with others and people really energized him.

We admire and remember the way in which he took each obstacle in life as an opportunity to do something positive and trust in God's mercy. He helped his son, Douglas, put his artwork up for sale at local shows after Doug's head injury made such endeavors impossible to do on his own. As his wife fell ill, Oscar began to learn how to cook more meals with her supervision, and was a devoted caregiver for Mom. After her passing, Oscar remained true to his social nature and even engaged in new friendships, joining a water aerobics class and a retired teachers’ breakfast club.

As a 48-year Colorado Springs resident, Oscar touched many lives with his warm-hearted personality and sense of humor. This past year Oscar outlasted everyone’s expectations—remaining a strong, friendly, resilient, and deeply faithful servant to the Lord to the end. His smile, voice, humor, and laughter will be sorely missed.

A memorial service to celebrate Oscar's life will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, March 26th at Swan-Law Cascade Chapel, 501 North Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs with an eventual internment at Ft. Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colorado.

In lieu of flowers, friends may make memorial donations to the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) online at: http://bit.ly/1Q9PLmw