Mark Thorpe Death – Mark Thorpe passed away at the age of 54 on Saturday, January 14, 2023. Mark Thorpe died after battling cancer, surrounded by family at home. Mark Philip Thorpe was a resident of Grand Forks, ND, born in Banbury, England on September 24, 1968, the son of Carol (Woodward) Olson and Philip Richardson. He received his high school diploma from Lakenheath American High School in 1986 and spent his childhood in England. His migration to the United States with his family occurred not long after he received his diploma.
Mark Thorpe Career
Mark P. Thorpe was a First Gulf War veteran. He joined the Army in July 1988 and fought in the First Gulf War. He was transported to Germany and Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm, where he drove howitzers from April 1990 until October 1991. In December 1991, he was honorably retired from active duty as a Specialist. Mark joined the North Dakota Army National Guard as soon as he could, and he and his brigade supported several causes, including the 1997 flood recovery.
He served in Kirkuk during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Mark retired as a Staff Sergeant in 2009 after 20 years of active and reserve service. Langdon, North Dakota’s American Legion Post 98 veteran. Mark and Tracie Lill married in Langdon’s Big Pembina Lutheran Church on July 11, 1998. They raised their three girls and son in Grand Forks. Family came first. He tutored young soccer teams, watched classic films, sang and played with friends and family, and supported Liverpool FC in his own time.
Mark completed Peace Officers Training at Lake Region State College in Devils Lake, ND, in December 2002. He joined the University of North Dakota Police Department in 2003 and became Lieutenant on August 8, 2013. Mark dedicated 20 years to his UPD family before retiring medically in 2022. Mark impacted many lives and will be missed by his family and community.
Mark Thorpe Obituary
He is survived by his loving wife, Tracie; daughters, Danielle (Tyler) Casey, of South St. Paul, MN, Hannah Thorpe and Tabitha Thorpe, both of Grand Forks, ND; son, Xavier Thorpe of Grand Forks, ND; his mother and stepfather, Carol and Gene Olson, Thief River Falls, MN; father, Philip (Anita) Richardson of the United Kingdom; brother, Dean (Alicia) Thorpe, Bismarck, ND; sister, Debbie (Kim Engelstad) Thorpe, Thief River Falls, MN; a grandson expected March 2023; his many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews; his beloved cat, Pancake, and dogs, Ace and Kora.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Cheryl Thorpe, and nanny and grampy, Winifred and Sidney Woodward.
Mark Thorpe Funeral Services
Memorial Service: 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 21, 2023, in the Historic Norman Funeral Home Chapel of Grand Forks, ND. Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Saturday. Police Honor Guard: Police officers of the University of North Dakota Police Department and the Grand Forks Police Department. Military Honors: Accorded by members of the American Legion Post 157, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3817, and the North Dakota Army National Guard.
Floral arrangements may be coordinated with All Seasons of Grand Forks. In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Cancer Society in memory of Mark Thorpe would be appreciated to support the search for a cure. E-cards can be sent to [email protected].
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