Dr. John Carl Thorne

Dr. John Carl Thorne

Washington

Dr. John Carl Thorne, age 79, of Washington, Iowa, died Saturday, February 18, 2023, at Halcyon House.

Celebration of life services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 24, 2023, at the United Presbyterian Church with Pastor Erin Kaye officiating. Calling hours will begin at 2:00 p.m. Thursday at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday. Memorials have been established for the Alzheimer’s Association, Halcyon House Staff Scholarship Fund, Washington Public Library and the United Presbyterian Church. Online condolences may be sent for John’s family at www.jonesfh.com.

John was born February 24, 1943, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, to Carl and Avis (Stomberg) Thorne. He grew up on the family farm in Dayton, Iowa. Upon graduation from Dayton High School in 1961, John enrolled at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. Augustana College has deep connections to the Thorne family as John, his father, his sister, his cousin, and his two daughters all attended Augie.

After graduation in 1965, John enrolled at Iowa State University, where he earned a Masters and Ph.D in agronomy, specializing in plant breeding. He then moved to Washington, Iowa, to start Northrup King’s soybean research program in August of 1969. John built Northrup King’s soybean research program, developing over 75 successful soybean varieties including S-1492, the highest annual volume soybean variety in North America. John served as the North American Soybean Director for Northrup King/Syngenta and the President of the National Council of Commercial Plant Breeders.

Despite his many professional achievements and international acclaim, he remained loyal to Northrup King and to Washington, Iowa. John met Helen Gilbert at Winga’s Cafe in Washington, and they married June 27, 1970. John was an active community member: he was a member of the Y’s Men, on the board of the Washington Community Theater, a Washington Community School board member (and eventually served as school board president), and a member of Kiwanis, Rotary, and the Washington Betterment Foundation. John also dedicated his time and talents to the United Presbyterian Church where he sang in the choir; served as an Elder and on multiple pastor call committees; and taught junior high Sunday School.

John’s work with soybean research enabled another of his passions: travel. He traveled to China, Argentina, Brazil, Eastern Europe, and dozens of times to Hawaii, sharing his expertise and research. After his retirement in 2005, he and Helen continued to travel all over the world, though Kauai, Hawaii, would forever be their favorite destination.

John was passionate about many subjects, but none more than his family and friends. John and Helen were happily married until her death in 2013. He is survived by daughter, Mary Mendelin and husband Michael of Bettendorf, Iowa; daughter, Sandra Abbott of Urbandale, Iowa; five beloved grandchildren: John and Leah Mendelin; Elizabeth, Audrey and Olivia Abbott; sister, Phyllis Ahlstrand of Bettendorf, Iowa; two brothers-in-law, Richard (Julie Gammack) Gilbert of Des Moines, Iowa; Frederick (Sally) Gilbert of Ottumwa, Iowa; as well as many nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Helen; brother-in-law, Steve Ahlstrand; and brother-in-law, Jerry Gilbert.