Peter was born on March 24, 1942, to Marcella and John Thorsell in Minneapolis and passed away at the age of 69 in Merced, Calif., where he lived for last 36 years.

Peter spent most of his childhood in Austin, Minn., and lived in Germany for four years.

In 1988, he retired at a rank of Major from the Air Force. He then worked at the Merced County Sheriff’s Dept. and County Health Services.

Peter enjoyed skiing, swimming, biking and reading. He loved to travel to South Pacific Islands to snorkel with his wife, Barbara.

Peter is preceded in death by his parents, Marcella and John Thorsell and his sister, Sandra.

Peter is survived by his wife, Barbara Thorsell; children and spouses, Kevin and Jennifer Thorsell, Kelly and Donavan Sizemore, Kristine and Dan Hulet; and grandchildren, Mckenzie and Kolby Powell, Jensen and Peyton Thorsell, Emma and Jayce Hulet, and Nicholas and Kassidy Sizemore.

A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, at Central Presbyterian Church, 20th and L St., Merced, Calif.

Arrangements are under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home.