Betty Marie Thorp

Betty Marie Thorp passed away on Sunday, April 2, 2017 in a facility in Fargo, ND after a short stay due to medical issues.

Betty was born on 8/10/28 in St. Paul, MN to Peder and Lottie Larsen. During college at St. Olaf she met Donald Thorp and they were married on June 26, 1949. Don graduated from Luther Seminary and so their adventure as Pastor and Pastor’s wife brought them to North Dakota where they served in 4 communities throughout their ministry, (Epping/Wheelock, Carpio/Hamerly, Leeds Lutheran, Bang and Perry, near Portland, ND). They retired in Fargo in 1990. Betty and Don were both involved at Pontoppidan Lutheran, but Betty’s passion was quilting. She continued her involvement, although to a lesser degree, until a month ago. To this day we are still finding pieces of material tucked away for future quilts. She also was on the Board for Nokomis in Fargo and was a faithful geranium salesperson every spring for their fundraisers. She loved gardening/flowers and getting her hands in the dirt.

They were blessed with 4 children: Lynn, Carolyn, Peter and Becky. They were not blessed with any daughter or sons-in-law or grandchildren, but had 2 grand dogs, BJ and Macy of Becky’s.
Since Don’s passing in April 2012, Betty remained in her own apartment with Home Care services by Home Instead, great church friends and staff and residents at One Oak Place in Fargo.

Betty is survived by her children, Lynn, Fargo, ND; Peter, Carpio, ND; and Becky, Sioux Falls, SD. She is also survived by 2 brothers-in-law, Earl and Richard and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald; daughter, Carolyn; her parents; her 3 brothers and sisters-in-law, Harold (Florence) Larsen, Elmer (Mabel) Larsen, Norman (Gertrude) Larsen; sister in law, Evy Larsen; in-laws, Henry (Billie) Thorp, Alice (Carl) Matson, Robert (Mabel) Thorp, Viola Thorp and Ann Thorp.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials preferred to Pontoppidan Lutheran, Metigoshe Ministries and Nokomis.