RICHARD “Rick” THORGESEN

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE!
The services for Rick have changed as follows:
Visitation is still at Conley Funeral Home.
The FUNERAL SERVICE ONLY will now be held at the:
COMMUNITY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN ELBURN:
100 E SHANNON ST.

***All times remain the same for BOTH the visitation and funeral, only the location of the SERVICE has changed. Please let your friends know. If you have any questions, please call 630.365.6414

Richard “Rick” Thorgesen, age 58, passed away unexpectedly at his home on August 11, 2023.  Unable to say goodbye, Rick leaves a legacy of family, friends, teammates, hunting buddies, fishing comrades, nieces and nephews bereft at the loss.  Rick was born June 4, 1965, In DeKalb, IL to Ken & Judy (King) Thorgesen.  

Rick grew up in the Maple Park community, blessed with loving parents, doting grandparents, and a large, extended family.   Cub Scouts, baseball teams, basketball pickup games, church,  football, watching Cubs & Bears games, summer fishing vacations in northern Wisconsin, attending Kaneland sporting events, and special Sunday morning duck hunting with his dad, uncle and cousin filled his childhood. His parents loved him, and provided a rich childhood full of outdoor adventures and unconditional love; instilling small town, hard working, family values he never lost throughout his adult life.   

As Rick became a teenager, his community of influence expanded, as Kaneland High School became his second home.  A 4 year, 3 sport athlete, Rick spent many hours in the “East Gym” and Peterson Field.  Ped, Ralph, Joe, Bruce, and many other coaches and teachers understood their responsibility and influence on their players, supporting Rick through crucial life lessons.  While Rick may have lost his cleat mid hurdle to lose the Conference championship title, he did sink the final two free throws in the Super Sectional game to seal the win over Putnam County in 1982 to qualify for the state basketball tournament.  Through his 4 years at KHS, with his teammates and coaches by his side,  Rick grew to understand that luck, good and bad, is a powerful force in everything we do and all we can control is how we react to it. One can control effort and preparation, but not outcome.  Rick graduated from KHS in 1983, his relationships with his coaches continued to grow into lifelong friendships and these experiences provided the resilience he demonstrated throughout his life.  

Rick attended North Central College and proudly swore his allegiance to the NCC Cardinals.  During his time at NCC, Rick (aka “Trick”) made fast friends with everyone, but his “band of brothers” taught him the definition of family is not always blood defined. The statute of limitations may not have passed on some of their anticis, but suffice it to say, “Trick” and his NCC brothers made an indelible mark at NCC.  He graduated in 1987. 

After graduation, Rick worked some odd jobs before landing a position with Eby-Brown, where he advanced from truck driver to executive vice president of human resources.  His 31 year tenure of the company spoke volumes to the dedication of his job, and his loyalty to a company that he loved and colleagues that grew to become family. 

Through his connections at Eby-Brown, Rick met Beth Anne Noteman in 2005 and they were married on May 16, 2009. A power couple, who shared extraordinary work ethics, and a passion for travel, animals, and the great outdoors – Beth was the love of his life. They lived in North Aurora, while shopping for their dream home.  Soon after, they found a beautiful horse farm in Elburn, as it fit perfectly into Beth’s equestrian passions, and the endless fields outback fit Rick’s love for the great outdoors.  Beth’s passing in 2017 broke his heart, but with his family’s unending love and support, Rick stayed in their home, carrying on his memory of Beth. 

Rick and Beth traveled the world, both as a couple, and separately with their family or friends, to live out their hobbies.  Rick and Beth’s travels included Beth’s National dressage competitions, but they also explored the world together – with favorite stops including travels to deep sea fishing in Cabo, Mexico and sightseeing across Europe.  Rick was an avid fisherman and hunter, and never missed an opportunity to travel to hunt or fish with his buddies. He and his dad escaped to Canada on a yearly basis, with a caravan of friends along for the ride.  Rick never disappointed.   Holidays were made magical, Memorial Days were spent at Pickerel Lake, WI, where family came together for unforgettable weekends.  Whether he dressed up for laughs Memorial Day weekend, or Santa or the Easter Bunny, or a new magic trick – Rick’s thoughtful gifts and love of a good time, never left a gathering without a memory made.   Being an uncle made Rick’s smile beam, and his connection to each of them was unique as it was unbreakable.  “Uncle Rick” would do anything for them, and they knew it, down to the depths of their souls.

Rick tragically leaves his parents, Ken and Judy Thorgesen; three siblings: Lisa (Brian) LeFevre and children, Wyatt, Abby, Brooke (John), Kyle and Mia; David (Debbie) Thorgesen and their children, Scott, Sean, Amelia and Brianna; and Kari (Ryan) Ruh and their children: Adalynn, Ansley and Ashtyn; as well as a host of friends, teammates, and extended “family’ that would take years to recite.  He is now reunited with his wife Beth Anne Noteman; his maternal grandparents, Ed and Neva King; his paternal grandparents, Sam and Sigrid Thorgesen, who preceded him in death.

Visitation will be Thursday, August 17, 2023, from 4-8 p.m. , at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL.  A funeral service to celebrate his life will begin at 10 a.m., Friday, August 18, also at the funeral home.  Private family interment will follow cremation at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Rick’s name to benefit a new scholarship to be offered to a Senior athlete graduating from Kaneland High School.  Checks may be made to the “Richard S. Thorgesen Memorial” and mailed in care of P.O.Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119.  Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.