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Feb. 5, 1929-March 29, 2021
Elwood Thorpe, 92,
longtime Minot car sales-
man and state legislator,
died on March 29, 2021,
in a Minot healthcare
center.
Elwood Clifton
"Woody" Thorpe was
born on February 5, 1929,
on the family farm in
Hoffman Township of
Bottineau County near
Antler, ND, to Clifford
and Gladys (Feland)
Thorpe. He was raised on
the family farm and at-
tended a rural school pri-
or to graduating from
Mohall High School. He
continued his education
at the North Dakota State
School of Science, where
he received specialized
training as an auto
mechanic and welder. He
returned to the Antler
area and farmed with his
father.
Elwood married Jean
Weiskopf on March 24,
1951, at Vincent United
Methodist Church in
Minot. They made their
home on the farm prior to
moving to Minot in 1955
where Woody was em-
ployed as a mechanic at
Fisher Motors. Later, he
was employed as a car
salesman at Auran/Ryan
Chevrolet and owned and
operated Mallard Motors,
where he sold new and
used vehicles and Sno-Jet
Snowmobiles. Many good
times with family and
friends were had as a part
of Sno-Jet Racing Adven-
tures. Also, during this
time he maintained farm-
ing and ranching interests
in the Antler area as well
as leasing mineral rights.
More recently, he was a
state legislator from the
5th District (1991-1994
and 1997-2010).
Woody was a member
of the Elks, Dakota
Cruisers Antique Car
Club, Northern Plains
Corvette Club, Sons of
Norway, Legion of
Leaders and ND Snowmo-
bilers Association. In his
younger years he was a
Golden Gloves Boxer and
his passion was anything
related to motors.
Elwood's loving family
includes his wife of 70
years: Jean; children: Ter-
ry Clifford (Pam) Thorpe
of Minot and Stephanie
Lynne Thorpe of Fargo;
granddaughter: Toridwa-
ters Jean Thorpe; great-
grandchildren: Orion M.
Thorpe and Astrid B. Wa-
ters, and several cousins.
Woody was preceded in
death by his parents.
To my grandfather,
Representative Elwood
Thorpe. To the man who
moved mountains, advo-
cated for accessible edu-
cation, and voted to pro-
tect women's rights. A
man who honored the
voices of voters for health-
care and forged a future
for generations to come.
Thank you for your pati-
ence, kindness, and hard
work. I hope to emulate
you and continue your
work. We hope you're rid-
ing shotgun in fast cars,
forever watching over
your great-grandson and
great-granddaughter. We
are going to miss your
winks and smiles, snow
white combed back hair,
and strong hands. Most of
all, I'll miss the conversa-
tions we had.
Your granddaughter,
Toridwaters Thorpe.
Public Visitation:
Thursday, April 8, 2021,
from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00
p.m. in Thomas Family
Funeral Home, Minot. At-
tendees are encouraged to
drive their antique cars to
the funeral home.
Private Celebration of
the Life of Elwood
Thorpe: Friday April 9,
2021, in Thomas Family
Funeral Home, Minot.
Public Graveside Ser-
vice: Friday April 9, 2021,
at 3:00 p.m. in the Bethel
Lutheran Brethren Church
Cemetery, rural Antler.
In lieu of flowers,
memorials are preferred
to the organization of the
donor's choice.
Memories and con-
dolences may be shared at
www.thomasfamily
funeralhome.com.