In loving memory

Howard I. Thorsheim
July 1, 1941 – Feb. 10, 2022

Photo: Jon Pedersen
Howard’s sister, Mary Jo Thorsheim (left), met with Howard (right) and his wife, Julie, at Norway House in Minneapolis.

Howard I. Thorsheim, age 80, of Northfield, Minn., professor emeritus of psychology and neuroscience at St. Olaf College in Northfield, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on

As a toddler, Howie, as he was known to his family, loved to wear caps and hats.

Feb. 10, 2022. 

He is survived by his wife, Julie, sons Peter, Thomas, Kristoffer, and Martin, sister Mary Jo, five grandsons, and family and friends in the United States and Norway. 

A dedicated and inspiring teacher, researcher, mentor, author, and Fulbright scholar, he was known for his quick humor, love of nature, curiosity, and interest in continuing to learn. He was passionate about his family, social justice, and protecting the environment, and he loved playing the musical saw (learned from his father) and driving his Model A Ford. He was dedicated to his church, serving on several boards and participating in Bible studies. 

Howard Thorsheim was very interested in his Norwegian heritage and made many trips to Norway. Here he is pictured outside of Stavanger.

He was treated for brain cancer at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and chose to donate his body to Mayo. 

A visitation was held on Feb. 25 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Northfield, followed by a memorial service on Feb. 26. The service was livestreamed at stjohnsnorthfield.org and can be viewed there. Memorials may be sent to the Thorsheim Endowment Fund at St. Olaf College, Habitat for Humanity, St. John’s Lutheran Church Foundation, or Northfield Community Action Center (northfieldfuneral.com).

Photos courtesy of Mary Jo Thorsheim unless otherwise noted

This article originally appeared in the March 4, 2022, issue of The Norwegian American.