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.
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Thursday February 20, 2020
Bell Mortuary
701 2nd Avenue South
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Friday February 21, 2020
First Lutheran Church
641 Scond Avenue North
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Potluck Reception
2:30 p.m.
Friday February 21, 2020
Sunnyside Golf & Country Club
95 Skylark Road
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Thursday February 20, 2020
Bell Mortuary
701 2nd Avenue South
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Friday February 21, 2020
First Lutheran Church
641 Scond Avenue North
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Potluck Reception
2:30 p.m.
Friday February 21, 2020
Sunnyside Golf & Country Club
95 Skylark Road
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Share
Carolyn Bachtold says
I was so sorry to hear of Keith’s death! Thinking of you during this time of sorrow! Cherish the memories!
Andy & Paula Hicks says
Deepest sympathy to the family…Keith was such a nice funny guy…he will be missed…RIP Keith ❤
Steve Sukut says
Thor was a kind, gentle man who will always be missed. He had a great golf game, and was lots of fun to play with.. it was amazing how fast he would shoot his shot, or hit a putt, and still be accurate. I enjoyed working with him and his company. He was dedicated, to both his family and his friends.
The world is a smaller place without Keithe Thorson in it. My condolences.
Gary D and Donna Dascher says
We are in shock, as are the rest of you to hear the news of Keithe’s passing! What a great man! What a friendly guy! We never saw him without a smile nor having anything to say! We are going to miss him tremendously, as will so many!
You were a great man, on earth and now in Heaven. I wonder if God allows golf carts? He’ll make an exception for you!!!
Our sympathies to Thor’s family and friends, as he had MANY!
Pete Helland says
So sad. Thor was a fun loving guy who was a joy to be around. I will miss him greatly.
Joan Roth says
I worked with Keith at the store at Glasgow AFB, Was so much fun to work with. Also kept in touch thru Gordons until I moved in 2004 . Such a fun guy. My condolences to his family.
Veronda Biggart says
I am so sorry to hear of Keith’s passing! No matter where or when I seen Keithe he always had a smile and good things to say. He would brighten my day for sure. Losing someone special is so difficult! I have no doubt he is continueing to be a happy guy and spreading joy!
Deepest condolences to you all!
Don & Paula Johnson says
So shocked and sad to hear about Thor. He was a good friend to everyone who knew him and just a great happy guy to be around. I golfed more rounds than I can recall with Keithe. Such a huge loss to the community and especially to Sunnyside Golf Club.
Donald E Johnson says
So sad to hear this bad news about Thor. He was such a great person always with a smile and nice words for everyone. I golfed more rounds with Keithe than I can remember. He will always be remembered kindly by everyone. Great loss to the community and especially Sunnyside Golf Club.
Terry Burt says
Worked with Keithe for many years at Gordons. He was always a great friend who worked hard and shared many laughs together. Always looked forward to seeing him when we got back to town. Miss you forever Thor!
Our deepest sympathy to Ardelle and family.
Lorrie Sampson says
My condolences to Keithe’s wife and family. Loved his smile and humor.
Fay Dahl says
I always enjoyed working with Keithe all the years at Gordon’s Foods and will surely miss him. My Sympathy goes out to Ardell and all of the family.
Ellen Guttenberg says
One of the kindest people I have ever had the pleasure to meet. Condolences to Keith’s family.
Jamie hanson says
We are so sorry to hear this news about Keith. He had a big heart and always had a smile and a friendly visit whenever we saw him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. Jamie and Lanny Hanson.
Connie Larsen says
I am so sad to hear of my fun-loving cousin passing. Keith was a great guy who gave the best to every person he was in contact with.
Patty Hallock says
So Saddened by this……..so many Memories with Keith at The IGA Store…….Such an Awesome Fun Man he was….will Miss talking with him about the Store Days……….You our all in my Prayers and Thoughts……..Hugs
Steve and Vonnie Pattison says
So sorry to hear of your loss. Keithe was such a kind man. He was always ready to visit about golfing and running. He will be missed.
Gerald Archambeault says
Very sorry and sad for Thor’s family. It is a big loss for everyone that knew him. Thor did eveything with “passion” and everyone expected and love it.
Buck
Bill Botnen says
I am saddened to hear of Keithe’s passing. I always enjoyed working with him and was always fun to visit Glasgow and see his smiling face. I will truly miss him. My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time.
Suzanne Tyte says
I am so sad for Ardell and all of Keithe’s family. They don’t make many like him. Always a smile and a kind word of encouragement, even if his day was as bad as yours. It was so much fun to work with him at Reynolds.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and I will light a candle for you. Good speed, Keithe!
Annette Throrson says
My thoughts and prayers are with you Ardelle and your family. I am so very sorry for your loss.
Alicia Hoyt says
My deepest sympathy in the loss of one so dear. Keithe was a wonderful, kind and thoughtful man. He will be greatly missed by many.
Alicia Frueh says
Keithe was the BEST!! He was always fun to visit and chat with. I loved all the time we worked together at Gordons/Reynolds for 12 years. I have known him since I was a little kid as my mom worked with him since then! He even showed up at my house warming and was looking forward to coming back when we completed a few projects! He will be greatly missed! Sending thoughts and prayers to Ardell, Dan, Staci, Danielle, Walter and the rest of his family!
Pat and Keenie Handley says
Our deepest sympathies to Ardele and the rest of Keithe’s family. Keithe was one of the best people we knew. Always with a kind word, a warm greeting and a good story or two. What a great man!
Bryan L Fuhrman says
WOW , Shock , It’s hard to read or hear about people that pass away and then there are those that shock you. My condolences to the family . Memories of Keithe are him kicking my butt in pool in Billings. Hope he is playing in heaven because someday I want a rematch as he drinks his bv and me a beer.
Darlene and John Wing says
Keith was a great guy !! He will be missed by many! we’ve cared Keith and Ardell for many years and consider them very good friends. Till we meet again Keith!
Arlie Gordon says
RIP, Keithe. You were a kind, gentle, funny man. Deepest condolences to you, Ardelle.
Gordon and Amy Bell says
Very saddened to hear of Keithe’s passing. He always brought a smile and a brightening of any event or conversation he entered. He was more than a good one. Condolences to Ardell and family.