Mickey Thorpe

Leslie A. Thorpe, known to everyone as Mickey, 78, of Ellendale, ND, passed away Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen, SD, surrounded by family.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Mickey will be at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 22, 2023, at St. Helena’s Catholic Church, Ellendale, ND, with Father Patrick Parks and Father Don Glover officiating.

Following mass, a time of fellowship and luncheon will be held at the church hall.

Visitation will be 6-7 p.m., Tuesday, at the church in Ellendale, with a liturgical wake at 7 p.m.  Visitation continues one hour before Mass at the church.

Burial will be at the Hecla City Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials be sent to 708 4th St N, Ellendale, ND, 58436.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.schriversmemorial.com. Services will be live-streamed on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SchriversMemorial.

Mickey was born on February 3, 1945, in Ellendale, ND, to Donovan and Virginia (Whelan) Thorpe. Mickey was baptized at St. Helena's Catholic Church, where he was a member at the time of his death.

He attended elementary school in Frederick, SD, then moved with his family to Thompson, ND, and later to South Shore, SD, where he graduated from High School in 1963.  After graduation, he attended college in Ellendale and Wahpeton in North Dakota until he was drafted into the US Army. 

Mickey married Beano Olson in January 1966. From their union, they had four children: Kelly, Jeff, Matthew, and Michael. They raised their children in southern California until 1978 when they moved to Ellendale, ND, where he lived until the time of his death.

For most of his life, Mickey operated excavating equipment and started Thorpe Excavating when they moved to Ellendale, ND.  During the winter months, he spent many years shearing sheep around the ND/SD area. After retirement and until the time of his recent illness, Mickey drove the senior bus and spent time volunteering at the senior center in Ellendale.

In Mickey's younger years, he enjoyed racing motorcycles cross-country in the desert of Southern California. After moving to Ellendale, he spent his free time following his children's sports and activities. Later in life, he enjoyed following his grand and great-grandchildren and their activities.  He could always be found cheering them on.

Survivors include his mother, Virginia Thorpe; children; Kelly (Mike Allmer) Krege, Jeff (Carrin) Thorpe, Matt (Michele)Thorpe, and Mike (Amanda)Thorpe; grandchildren; Krista (Logan), Tara (Steven), Taylor (Preston), Hunter, Riley, Kyle (Breanna), Alexius (Drew), Annah, Dillon, Mackenzie, Madeline, and Drew; great-grandchildren: Tyson, Parker, Theo, Hailey, Harper, Landon, Maggie, Jameson and Jackson; and siblings: Sandra, Patrick and Kim.

He was preceded in death by his father, Donovan Thorpe, and his brother Jeff Thorpe.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.