Thorpe, Albert William 1922-2003

THORPE, FAGAN, SCHOEN

Posted By: Bruce Atkinson (email)
Date: 10/28/2007 at 00:00:29

Albert 'Sarge' Thorpe
LE MARS, Iowa -- Retired Sgt. Maj. Albert "Sarge" Thorpe, 80, of Le Mars died suddenly Saturday, March 1, 2003, at Floyd Valley Hospital in Le Mars.
Services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at First United Methodist Church in Le Mars, with the Rev. Jason Larson officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Cemetery, with military rites conducted by American Legion Wasmer Post 241 of Le Mars. Visitation will be after 2 p.m. today, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars.
Albert William Thorpe was born Oct. 4, 1922, in rural Lincoln County, S.D., to Ralph and Ida (Schoen) Thorpe. He graduated from Hudson High School in 1940 and enlisted in the U.S. Army after graduation.
Albert was united in marriage to Shirley Sadler on Feb. 23, 1946. He married Leona Fagan on Feb. 4, 1956, in Colorado Springs, Colo. Albert was a patriot and served his country in the U.S. Army for 26 years. He was stationed in the South Pacific during World War II and in Korea during the Korean conflict. He served two tours of duty in Germany and was stationed in Brooklyn, N.Y., and Colorado Springs. He retired to Le Mars in 1968 with his family and continued to serve his community.
Albert was a member of the First United Methodist Church and had served as janitor for several years. Sarge was active in American Legion Wasmer Post for many years and was also a member of the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce. He also worked at Hy-Vee in Le Mars for 10 years and continued to help out whenever he and Leona went to the store. He enjoyed bowling and cheering for his St. Louis Cardinals.
Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Leona of Le Mars; a daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Larry Brinster and their son, Matthew, all of Minnesota; four sons, Mickey Joe and his wife, Kathy Thorpe and their children, Al Thorpe and Kristy Cunningham, all of Oklahoma, Paul and his wife, Marie Thorpe of North Sioux City, S.D., and their sons, Corey (Thorpe) McNamara, Sam Wood, Warren Wood and Robert Fleshman and great-granddaughter, Samantha Wood, Mark and his wife, Christie Thorpe and their children, Jessica Swihart and Erin Thorpe of Ankeny, Iowa, and Jerry and his wife, Candie Thorpe and their children, Caitlin and Courtney of Elk Point, S.D.; two brothers, Dale Thorpe of Hudson, S.D., and Dr. Ralph Thorpe of Lincoln, Neb.; two sisters, Marge Coleman of Hawarden, Iowa, and Doris Bondt of Sioux Falls, S.D.; eight great-grandchildren; and many loving nieces and nephews.
Albert was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Robert Thorpe; a sister, Irene "Pep" Mitchell; and a grandson, Adam (Thorpe) McNamara.
Pallbearers will be Al Thorpe, Kristy Cunningham, Jessica Swihart, Erin Thorpe, Robert Fleshman and Matt Brinster.
Honorary pallbearers will be Caitlin and Courtney Thorpe.
__________________________________________________
Sioux City Journal (Sioux City, Woodbury County, Iowa) of 02 March 2003.