Christian Biography of Thorkild V. "Thork" Kastrup

Thorkild V. Kastrup, the son of Edmund and Karen (Andersen) Kastrup, was born on January 6, 1925 in Dixon County, Nebraska. He passed away on May 21, 2015 at the Thayer County Health Services at Hebron, Nebraska at the age of 90 years, 4 months, 15 days.

Thork was one of 8 children; he was baptized on June 28, 1925 by Pastor L.A. Lauren and confirmed on April 24, 1938 by Pastor Knud Larsen both at Danish Lutheran Church, Laurel, Nebraska. He attended country school and graduated Valedictorian from Laurel High School. After graduating Thork enlisted in the United States Navy on November 13, 1943; while serving in the Navy he attended Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington and finishing his degree at the University of Washington, Seattle. Upon his discharge in 1946 he obtained his education degree at Dana College in Blair, Nebraska. He taught and coached 1 year in Blair and 2 years in Ruskin, Nebraska. After teaching he became a fulltime farmer in the Ruskin area.

On June 6, 1948 he was united in marriage to Sarah Lorraine Christensen at Bethany Lutheran Church near Ruskin. This union was blessed with three children, Rodney, Roger and Stan.


Thork was a Ruskin School Board member for 16 years, Nuckolls County Commissioner for 12 years, and was a Blue Valley Board Member. He was a member of the Bethany Lutheran Church, serving on the Church Council in various positions. He was a Sunday School Teacher and Superintendent, he was also a E.L.C.A. Synod Council Member.

Thork was preceded in death by his parents Edmund and Karen; wife Lorraine on May 20, 1998; brothers Kai, Carlo, Leo, and Robert Kastrup; brothers-in-law Jerome Christensen, Lloyd Nielsen, and sisters-in-law Mabel and Millie Kastrup.

He leaves to mourn his passing his 3 sons Rodney and wife Nancy of Gainesville, Virginia; and their daughters, Jill of Encinitas, California and Erin and fiancé Daniel Nolan of Gainesville, Virginia; Roger and wife Marilyn of Ruskin, Nebraska and daughters, Laurel Kastrup and husband Gary Aksamit of Parker, Texas; Lindsey Webb and husband Damon of New Market, Maryland; and Leah Kastrup of Omaha, Nebraska; Stan of Chestnut Ridge, New York; and daughters, Sara and Megan Kastrup of Bardonia, New York; three great grandchildren, Reese Aksamit and Elle & Ty Webb; sisters, Elsie Nielsen of Blair, Nebraska; Ruth Kenaley and husband Bob of LeMars, Iowa; and brother Borge Kastrup and wife Carol of Laurel, Nebraska; sisters-in-law Bonna Del Kastrup of Elk Point, South Dakota and Julie Kastrup of Hartington, Nebraska; nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at 1:30 PM from the Bethany Lutheran Church in Ruskin, Nebraska with Pastor Connie Raess officiating.

Music was congregational hymns "I Was There To Hear Your Borning Cry," "Day By Day," and "O Jesus I Have Promised," with Dorcas Judy as the accompanist.

Pallbearers were Jerry Kastrup, Thomas Kastrup, Larry Kastrup, Tim Kastrup, Patrick Kenaley and Don Nielsen.

Interment with Full Military Honors was in the Spring Creek Cemetery at Ruskin, Nebraska.

Memorials are suggested to go to Bethany Lutheran Church.

Condolences may be sent to Megrue-Price Funeral Home, 750 N Commercial, Superior, Nebraska 68978 or in care of www.pricefuneralhomes.com.

Megrue-Price Funeral Home of Superior, Nebraska was in charge of the arrangements.