Grand Forks, ND –
Mark P. Thorpe, 54, of Grand Forks, ND passed away surrounded by family at home on Saturday, January 14, 2023, after battling cancer.
Mark Philip Thorpe was born on September 24, 1968, in Banbury, England, the son of Carol (Woodward) Olson and Philip Richardson. He was raised in England, where he graduated from Lakenheath American High School in 1986. Shortly after graduating, he and his family moved to the United States.
Mark enlisted in the United States Army in July 1988 and is a veteran of the First Gulf War. From April 1990 to October 1991, he was deployed to Germany and Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm, where he served as a howitzer driver. He was honorably discharged from active military service as a Specialist in December 1991. Mark immediately enlisted in the North Dakota Army National Guard where he and his brigade worked to support many campaigns, including providing aid during the flood of 1997. He was also deployed to Kirkuk, Iraq during Iraqi Freedom from June 2004 to November 2005. Mark served over 20 years in both active military and reserve duty before retiring with the rank of Staff Sergeant in 2009. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 98 in Langdon, ND.
Mark married the love of his life, Tracie Lill, on July 11, 1998, at the Big Pembina Lutheran Church in Langdon, ND. They built a beautiful family together in Grand Forks, ND, raising three daughters and a son. His family was the most important thing to him. He enjoyed spending his free time with family and friends, coaching the kids’ soccer teams, cheering on Liverpool Football Club, playing games, singing along to his favorite songs, and watching old movies.
In December 2002, Mark graduated from Peace Officers Training at Lake Region State College of Devils Lake, ND. In 2003, he went on to become a Police Officer with the University of North Dakota Police Department and was named Lieutenant on August 8, 2013. A man dedicated to service, Mark spent 20 years working with his UPD family until being medically retired from the force in 2022.
Mark was an excellent leader with a selfless devotion to duty; he touched many lives and will be forever missed by his family and community. He is survived by his loving wife, Tracie; daughters, Danielle (Tyler) Casey, of South St. Paul, 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; father, Philip (Anita) Richardson of the United Kingdom; brother, Dean (Alicia) Thorpe, Bismarck, ND; sister, Debbie (Kim Engelstad) Thorpe, Thief River Falls; 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.
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 info@normanfuneral.com.
Memorial Service: 11 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.
The online memorial registry may be signed at www.normanfuneral.com.
(The Historic Norman Funeral Home, Grand Forks, ND)
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