Mary Luanne Thorpe

Mary Luanne Thorpe, age 89, died on Sunday, November 10th, 2024, at The Dougherty House in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. This extraordinary woman will be missed by so many who knew and loved her. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Hawarden, Iowa with Father Mauro Sanchez officiating. After a luncheon, private family inurnment will be at Eden Cemetery at Hudson, South Dakota. Visitation with the family will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, with a Rosary at 10:45 a.m. prior to the Mass. The Porter Funeral Home in Hawarden is assisting the family. The service will be recorded and uploaded to her obituary page. Condolences may be sent to www.porterfuneralhomes.com.

Mary" Luanne" Scott was born on April 21st, 1935, at home, in Union County, South Dakota, to Paul and Clayre (Van De More) Scott. 

Luanne attended the Scott Country School on the family farm in Union County, where she went through 8th grade before starting high school in Hawarden, Iowa. After her junior year, her family moved to Hudson, South Dakota where Luanne graduated from Hudson High in 1954. 

After graduation, Luanne enlisted in the Air Force. She went to basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas where she became an M.P. Luanne was then sent to South Ruislip Air Force Base near London, England, where she became the secretary for General Curtis LeMay. This was an honor and something she was very proud of during and after her military service. 

While serving in England, Luanne met and married Vincent Canevari on January 20th, 1955. A daughter, Theresa (Terry) Ursula was born to this union. 

Luanne and Terry returned to Hudson, South Dakota in 1958 where Luanne went to work at Nitz's Cafe as a waitress. A high school romance was rekindled, and Luanne and Dale Thorpe were married on January 22nd, 1960, in Marshall, Minnesota. To their little family of three, Dale and Luanne welcomed two children, their son Todd, and daughter, Tracy. The family was complete. 

Luanne's granddaughters described their grandmother in separate tributes saying, "she was the epitome of elegance, never a hair out of place and make-up done to perfection." "She taught me that age was just a number, and grace and class never go out of style." "She was never afraid to tell the truth." No truer words were ever spoken. 

She took great pride in her accomplishments in life starting with her military service, her community service which included, being a member and officer of the Hudson Volunteer Fireman's Auxiliary, a member and officer of the American Legion Auxiliary, and a Deacon and Lectern in the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hawarden, Iowa. 

But she was most proud of taking care of her home and family. Her home was immaculate, her cooking and baking were simply the best, and her three children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were her pride and joy. She loved deeply and was loved deeply in return. 

Luanne is survived by her daughter Terry Thorpe Keill of Sioux Falls, and her son Todd (Petra) Thorpe of Sioux Falls. Her 7 Grandchildren: Corey (Courtney) Thorpe, Marinn Dubs, Lindsey (Michael) Keill Mataalii, Nathan (Alisa) Thorpe, Thomas (Karren) Dubs, Jonathan Keill, and Larissa (Dale) Magnuson. Her 11 Great-Grandchildren: Riley, Taia, Teagan, and Tatum Thorpe, Ella and Jameson Byers, Rosemary Thorpe, Ashton and Autumn Dubs, Johnny Mataalii, and Sawyer Thorpe. Her sister, Paula (Lonnie) Toft, Summerville, South Carolina and her brother, John (Mimi) Scott, Aiea, Hawaii, and several loved nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dale Thorpe; her daughter, Tracy Thorpe; brother, Charles "Chic" Scott; her parents, Paul and Clayre Scott; son-in-law, John Keill; great-granddaughter, Ava Thorpe; great-grandson, Elijah Dubs; and several loved nieces and nephews.