Keithe “Thor” R. Thorson died unexpectedly in his home February 9, 2020. Keithe was a vibrant 72 years old.
Keithe was born May 27, 1947 in Williston, North Dakota to Homer and Elaine (Larsen) Thorson. He had an older brother and younger sister.
Keithe was raised in Culbertson, Montana and graduated in 1965 from Culbertson High School. He enjoyed being on the basketball team and field and track. He also attended Glendive Community College before enlisting in the Army National Guard. After an honorable discharge, he worked for the State of Montana Department of Transportation as a surveyor. Keithe was known as a dedicated, hard worker in the various jobs he held such as a butcher and manager of the Glasgow Air Force Base grocery store, Vita Rich milk, Pepsi, Coke, and multiple meat cutting jobs before spending 31 years as Reynold’s Produce Manager. Concurrently, he and his wife, Ardell, were owners and operated the La Casa Motel for 21 years. Retirement did not suit Keithe so he worked as a groundskeeper for the Sunnyside Golf Club.
Keithe’s warm weather obsession was golf and he played the game whenever he could and wherever he could. He enjoyed organizing the Men’s Golf Ryder cup for 17 years and was a dedicated member of the Sunnyside Golf Club for decades. His 1987 Most Improved Golf Player from Golf Digest was proudly hung in his house. Keithe opened up the golf culture from being a quiet, reserved past time to the lively, party time it can be by pimpin’ his ride with a stereo and unique paint jobs like his turquoise, “Crazy Grandpa” to his current General Lee. He participated in many golf tournaments.
The same golf gusto was followed by his winter pool passion. Keithe and his partner in crime son Dan, along with close friend Don Anderson have been on the same pool league team since 1994. Other players have come and gone but the three remaining steadfast. Keithe also had yearly family wintertime ski vacations when his children were at home and later with his grandkids. Keithe was known to organize a ski trip or two with friends. He was an avid Denver Bronco and University of Montana Grizzlies football fan.
Keithe could be found most every Friday night at the Oasis playing cards. Many afternoons were spent losing at dominos to his wife, family, and friends. He found joy in his four legged family: Abbie, Snookie, and Duffer.
People mattered most to Keithe. Acquaintances could count on Keithe to offer a cheerful, helping hand. His friends can recount so many “Thor” stories that should provide a lifetime of chuckles and amusement.
Keithe is survived by the love of his life Ardell; daughter Deb Belleau; son Dan (Staci) Belleau; his grandchildren, Walter and Danielle Belleau; sister Darlene Portra; sister-in-law Neva Thorson; brother-in-law El Ray West; many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Keithe also had two daughters and four grandchildren from a previous marriage.
Keithe was preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Elaine; brother Richard; parents-in-law, Earl and Babe West; sister-in-law Darlene West and brother-in-law Ken Portra.
Family will receive friends from 5 – 7:00 p.m., Thursday, February 20, 2020 at Bell Mortuary in Glasgow, Montana. A Celebration of Keithe’s life will be 1:00 p.m. on Friday, February 21, 2020 at First Lutheran Church in Glasgow, Montana, with Reverend Todd Wright officiating. Keithe’s family that you bring your ‘church appropriate’ stories of Keithe to share. Please bring a covered dish to the potluck at the Sunnyside Country Club following services. Condolences for the family may be left at bellmortuarymontana.com.