Sam Thomsen

From the Christian Chronicle article Church teen among Boy Scouts killed in Iowa twister on Jun 12, 2008 by Tami Ross.

Sam Thomsen, a 13-year-old member of the Southwest Church of Christ in Omaha, Neb., was killed late Wed, Jun 11, when a tornado sliced through the primitive Boy Scout camp in Iowa where he and others were staying.

In all, four teens died and 48 adults and campers were injured when the twister struck. The group had been warned about the approaching storm and had taken shelter, but collapsing roofs, fireplaces and flying logs and debris were believed to have caused the deaths. At the family’s request, an autopsy is being performed.

Thomsen, the son of longtime Southwest members Larry and Sharon Thomsen, was adopted as an infant through the Nebraska Christian Services agency sponsored by the congregation. The Thomsens have two older children, Lindsey and Sarah, and all three were home-schooled.

From USA Today article Boy Scouts recount survival stories of deadly Iowa tornado on Jun 12, 2008 by Judy Keen and Andrea Stone.

Here is a look at the four teens Boy Scouts killed when a tornado hit their camp:

Sam Thomsen, of Omaha, loved the outdoors and sports watching University of Nebraska football and playing baseball and basketball.

"He would badger me about the Huskers," said Pastor Jim White of the Southwest Church of Christ in Omaha.

He was the son of Sharon and Larry Thomsen and had two older sisters. His birthday would have been Monday.

Aaron Eilerts, 14, sang, played the flute, ran track, played football, cooked, and loved to sew.

"He had endless talents," said Dawn Sievertsen, the school's principal.

He was an only child.

Josh Fennen, 13, of Omaha, had an uncanny ability to understand knots.

"He could look at a knot and untie and tie it in 20 or 30 seconds," said his scoutmaster, Doug Rothgeb.

Fennen had one sister.

Ben Petrzilka's life revolved around Mary Our Queen Church in Omaha.

Petrzilka, 14, would have started eighth grade in the fall.

"He lived his Catholic faith every day," said Kayleen Wallace, the school's principal.

Comments

[Bre]

I saw that you have him as dyeing on the 12th but he died on the 11th