Norval Thorpe, 92, Owatonna

Norval H Thorpe, 92, of Owatonna, passed away on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at Timberdale Trace Assisted Living in Owatonna.

He was born Aug. 22, 1932, in Chapman, Kansas, the son of Everett and Gladys (Mustard) Thorpe. Norval grew up in Ft. Scott, Kansas, on the family farm and graduated from Ft. Scott High School in 1950. He later attended Kansas State University where he obtained a BS in mechanical engineering in 1956.

After graduation, he worked for the Gas Service Company as a pipeline engineer in St. Joseph, Mo., where he met nursing student Mary Louise Garvey. They were married on Nov. 28, 1959, and remained married for 61 years until Mary’s death in September 2021.

Norval was a diehard fisherman and a lifelong member of the Elks Club where he obtained the position of Exalted Ruler at the Elks Club in Overland Park, Kansas, in 1969. In March 1971, Norval, Mary, and their four boys moved to Owatonna, where he owned and operated Thorpe Supply until his retirement in 2009.

He is survived by his brother Wayne Thorpe of Ft. Scott, Kansas; sons Richard (Anita)Thorpe of Fremont, Calif.; Dr. James Thorpe of Cassville, Mo.; Timothy Thorpe and John Thorpe both of Owatonna; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Louise Thorpe and parents, Everett and Gladys Thorpe.

Funeral service will be held at a later time.

For more information or to leave an online message of condolence, go to www.megercares.com.