Gary Thorson
Gary Roland Thorson, 66, of Mesa, Ariz., formerly of Watford City, N.D., passed away Dec. 13, 2022, after a long battle with cancer.
Gary was born Aug. 10, 1956, in Williston, N.D., the only child of Herbert and Delores (Neubauer) Thorson. Gary grew up in Watford City and was baptized and confirmed at the First Lutheran Church. During his younger years, Gary could be found at the lake with friends and family or working on the farm with his grandparents, Roman and Josephine. While in high school, he was the student manager for the wrestling and football teams and worked at Ray’s Standard to save money for a red 1967 Chevy Impala that he was quite proud of. Gary graduated from WCHS in 1974 and then attended lineman school at Bismarck College, after which he was hired by McKenzie Electric in 1975. Gary worked as a lineman until he was promoted to Operations Manager in 1983. In 2011, after 36 years, Gary retired from McKenzie Electric.
In 1980, Gary met Beryl (Lassell) who had recently moved to town from Beach, N.D. They were married in March 1981 and raised their two children, Kyle and Kelly, in Watford City.
Gary loved his life in Watford City and worked hard to make it a great place for everyone to raise their families there. Gary didn’t just talk about his love of the community, he did something about it. He was elected twice to the City Council (1994 and 1998) and served as President during his second term. While on the council, he served on the original board for the Roughrider Fund, the JDA, the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and the Pioneer Museum Board. Gary helped create the city sales tax to fund special projects like the Veterans Memorial Building, swimming pool, city bike paths and the Renaissance Zone. The city sales tax is still being used to help fund the Rough Rider Center. Not having enough things to do, Gary was also elected to the Watford City Oilers Hockey board in 1994, serving as the Secretary/Treasurer until he was elected as President in 1999. Construction and completion of the multi-purpose building (hockey building) was a five-year plan and with Gary as a major player, the task was completed in three years.
Gary’s love of lake life continued through his adult years as he enjoyed spending every summer weekend with friends and family at Tobacco Gardens. He worked diligently to have one of the nicest well-manicured yards in the county. Gary enjoyed grilling in the evenings and taking kids out on the boat to fish, ski, kneeboard, or tube during the day (but not until after the lawn was mowed).
Gary’s fall and winter weekends were spent hunting, ice fishing or shuttling Kyle and Kelly all around North Dakota to play hockey. He had to be talked into letting Kyle play hockey, but he later admitted that it was one of his greatest experiences due to the lifelong friendships he and Beryl made. You could find him volunteering to work the scoreboard and penalty box during Oiler home games where he was able to have “heartfelt” talks with Kyle on why he should spend less time in the box and more time on the ice. And, if you didn’t find him working the scoreboard, then he was likely having a Busch Light with Larry Kummer and Curtis Samuelson in the Zamboni room during intermissions.
Gary loved to visit and cook. Three of his favorite things he looked forward to every year to combine those loves were the REC party where he cooked his famous chicken, opening weekend of Pheasant season to cook fleischkuekle, and Christmas when he made his way around town to deliver freshly made cheese balls to people’s houses.
In 2011, Gary and Beryl purchased a secondary home in Mesa, Ariz., and decided to become snowbirds. Gary, of course, found this as an opportunity to start up new friendships where he could visit and cook with more people. Gary couldn’t quite give up the lake life while in Arizona, so he talked Beryl into having boats at a nearby marina and ended up renovating a small houseboat for another home on the lake. It wasn’t until 2020 when they finally decided to become full time Arizona residents. Gary looked forward to Arizona winters every year as he was able to have North Dakota guests that he could cook for. He would prepare weeks in advance by asking everyone what they wanted to eat and how much they thought they’d eat (he saved every grocery list). He absolutely enjoyed grilling on the patio and watching the grandkids swim in the pool all day. No matter how loud the kids got, he soaked in every moment.
Gary’s family and friends were very important to him. Although his health didn’t allow him to travel a lot in the last few years, he was always calling and texting to find out how people were doing and what they were up to.
Gary is survived by his wife, Beryl of Mesa, Ariz.; children, Kyle Thorson (Pam) and their two sons Tyler (7) and Roman (5) of McKinney, Texas; Kelly Balsam (Rob) and their two daughters Rorie (9) and Ryan (7) of Cody, Wyo.; mother, Delores Quale of Watford City, N.D., brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Tim and DeEtta Frandsen of Mesa, Ariz., and many cousins, nieces, and nephews in Arizona, North Dakota, Minnesota, Texas and Idaho.
He was preceded in death by his father, Herbert Thorson; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Harold and Carol Lassell; paternal grandparents, Peter and Anna Thorson; maternal grandparents, Roman and Josephine Neubauer; and sister-in-law, Barbara Carlson.
Memorial Services will be Saturday, June 24, 2023, at 10 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church in Watford City, N.D., with Pastor Paul Balaban officiating. Gary will be laid to rest at Schaffer Cemetery in Watford City, N.D., and a luncheon will follow the service. Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home of Watford City, N.D., is assisting the family. Condolences may be left on the funeral home website at www.fulkersons.com.