Bud Thorpe

Bud Thorpe, age 93, a long time Marvin resident died July 17, 2017, at Milbank Area Hospital - Avera Health.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 22, at 11:00 a.m. at American Lutheran Church in Milbank. Rev. Carl Larson will officiate and burial with full military honors will be at Osceola #1 Cemetery in Marvin.

Visitation will be held at Mundwiler Funeral Home on Friday from 5 - 7 p.m. and continue at the church on Saturday, one hour prior to the service. Military honors will be provided by: American Legion, Birch-Miller Post #9, V.F.W. Grant County Post #3486, V.V.A. Northeast SD Chapter #1054, and D.A.V. Chapter #19.

Honorary bearers will be: Jim Wendland, Charlie Berkner, Larry O’Farrell, Raymond O’Farrell, Jerry Christensen, Jim Berkner, and John Haukos. Casket bearers will be: Tim Thorpe, Chad Lauritsen, Jason Lauritsen, David Thorpe, Becky Thorpe, and Tina Thorpe. The vocalist will be Chad Lauritsen.

In lieu of flowers, Bud’s family suggests memorials be given to the Wilmot Care Center.

Garth Edward Thorpe was born June 23, 1924, in Virgil, SD. He was the son of Chester John Thorpe and Mabel Goodwin Thorpe. Bud grew up near Wolsey, in rural Beadle County, SD. He moved with his family to Wilmot in 1936 and lived near Bull Head Lake. Bud completed eight years of rural school in Roberts County. Instead of going to high school, Bud worked on the family farm. He always regretted not completing high school, so as an adult, earned his GED.

Bud served in the United States Navy during World War II. He was a proud member of the 84th Construction Battalion (Seabees). He served in the Philippine Islands, New Guinea, (where he was infected with malaria), and Australia. He was a heavy equipment operator, building air bases. Bud was honorably discharged in 1945.

Bud returned to South Dakota and was united in marriage with Carol Mavis Quale on November 7, 1948. They settled in the Marvin area. Bud operated a trucking business. He was an auctioneer and also began farming and ranching. During the early 1960’s, Bud and Delbert “Smitty” Smith owned and operated Skyline Cattle Company. In 1975, Bud served as Deputy Sherriff under Virgil Crowl. Bud served for eight years. In 1982, Bud was elected Sherriff for Grant County. He faithfully served two terms and retired in January of 1991.

Bud returned to his Marvin ranch and raised Dorper sheep. Bud also worked at the O’Farrell Ranch during haying season. Horses were always a part of his life - growing up with horses and loving rodeo. He was a member of the Whetstone Valley Rodeo Association for many years.
Bud was a history buff and always enjoyed learning all he could. His ranch had corner stones where an Indian trading post once stood. Bud spent many hours imaging what life was like for the pioneers and the Indians during that time.

Bud was an airplane private pilot. He and Chuck Bury spent a lot of time together in the plane hunting fox. Bud and Carol also enjoyed many short plane trips with Percy and Margaret Chamley.

Bud moved from his Marvin family farm to Wilmot in 2003. He was proud to know his grandson, Jason and family moved onto the farm. Carol died in 2007. Bud moved into the Wilmot Care Center in December of 2011.

Left to cherish his memory are his children: Tim Thorpe of Wichita, KS; Velna (Dean) Hasch of McCool Junction, NE; five grandchildren: Chad (Kim) Lauritsen, Jason (Heather) Lauritsen, David (Raquel) Thorpe, Becky Thorpe, and Tina Thorpe; ten great-grandchildren: Harrison, Coleman, Carolyn, Aubrey, and Blake Lauritsen, Oscar Thorpe, Christian and Sean Gonzales, Athena Thorpe, and Dylan Sousa. Bud was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; son-in-law, Terry Lauritsen; two sisters: Wanda Thaden and Betty Cardwell; and brother-in-law, Arnold Thaden.