Ethel A. Thorp

Ethel A. Thorp, 100 of rural Devils Lake, ND died on Friday, August 22, 2008 at the Good Samaritan Center, Devils Lake. Funeral Services for Ethel will be held at Peace Lutheran Church, Devils Lake on Monday, August 25, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Rafe Allison will officiate and burial will be in the Chain Lake Cemetery, rural Garske, ND. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service and Time of Remembrances at 4:00 p.m. Visitation on Monday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Casket Bearers for Ethel will be Keith Thorp, Jason Thorp, Kjersti Thorp, Perry Larson, Doug Hillstrom, Brian Sowatzki and David Pederson. Music will be Congregational Hymns with Brenda Swenseth as pianist and special music by the Melby family, relatives of the Thorp family Ethel A. Pederson, the daughter of Paul and Marie (Anderson) Pederson was born on May 11, 1908 at rural Churchs Ferry, ND where she attended the Irvine Township School and grew to adulthood. While living at home, she helped on the family farm and also worked at many other farm homes in the neighborhood. Ethel was united in marriage to William Thorp on June 6, 1940 at Churchs Ferry. They established their home on their farm in DeGroat Township where they lived, worked side by side on the family farm and raised their three children. Ethel loved the life of a farm wife and mother and devoted herself to caring for her husband and family. Being one of twelve children herself, she knew the joys of large family gatherings and loved to be a part of all the events of her children, grandchildren and nieces and nephews. William died on August 13, 1984 but Ethel continued to live on the farm. Even with the rising waters of the last several years, Ethel took every opportunity to be a part of the farm. She has spent most of these years since the passing of William in the care of her son, Curtis. Ethel was an active member of Chain Lake Lutheran Church and Ladies Aide and after its closing became a member of Peace Lutheran Church. Ethel enjoyed tatting, quilting and other needlework projects and also was always willing to partner up for a game of whist. Ethel is survived by her loving sons, Curtis Thorp, Devils Lake Paul Thorp and his wife, Karen of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota Grandchildren: Jason Thorp of Fargo; Keith Thorp and his wife, Amanda of Arvada, Colorado; and Kjersti Thorp of Detroit Lakes. One Great Granddaughter: Emma Marx Brothers: Melvin (Gena) Pederson, Minot, ND Loyd Pederson, Devils Lake Sisters: Edith Codding, Jamestown, ND Rita (Lowell) Larson also of Minot Many nieces, nephews and their families also survive. Ethel was preceded in death by her parents; husband, William; daughter and son-in-law, Alice and Lawrence Samuelson; sisters and brothers, Anna Emerson, Maurice Pederson, Erling Pederson, Agnes Hoistad, Ruth Pederson and Harold and Minnie Pederson in infancy.