Darrell Thorsell

MEADE – Darrell L. Thorsell, age 87, passed away Tuesday evening, June 23, 2020, at Overland Park, Kansas surrounded by family.

He was born July 2, 1932, at Larimore, North Dakota, the son of Luther V. and Vila J. (Jackson) Thorsell. As a young boy he attended school in Larimore, graduating from Larimore High School. Upon his graduation, he joined the United States Air Force, serving from 1951 until 1954. After his discharge, he attended North Dakota State University, graduating in 1958 and began his career in pharmacy.

On July 5, 1956, he married Helen Elaine Frydenlund at E. Grand Forks, Minnesota. After his graduation, the couple moved to Chanute, Kansas, where he worked for six years as a pharmacist. In 1964, they moved to Meade, and he began working for Duane Mulnix at Mulnix Drugs, as well as, a pharmacist for the Meade District Hospital. In 1980, the two pharmacies combined and he began working for Dean Gates. On November 6, 1989, he purchased the pharmacy and renamed it Thorsell Drug, owning and operating until his retirement in the late 1990’s.

He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, serving on several committees within the church; the Lutheran Brotherhood; Thrivent; the Meade Golf Club; and served on the Meade Public Library Board. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting, coin collecting, and spending time with his family and friends.

He is survived by his children, Debbie Klempnauer and husband Dan of Roeland Park, Kansas, Annie McCauley and husband Alex of Overland Park, Dean Thorsell and wife Lilli of Oak Hill, Virginia, Jeff Thorsell and wife Sally of Douglas, Wyoming, and niece Marti Attanasio of Vancouver, Washington; a sister, Shirley Folkers of Newport, Oregon; thirteen grandchildren, Kristine Klempnauer, Katie (Marshall) Kidd, Karen (Kyle Alm) Klempnauer, Jeremy Klempnauer, Jenny (Rudy) Nigro, Elle McCauley, Tori McCauley, Lesley (William) Laing, Luke Thorsell, Eric (Elayna) Thorsell, Alyson Thorsell, Trevor Attanasio, and Delaney Attanasio; and eight great-grandchildren, Ethan Klempnauer, Oliver Kidd, Vyla Kidd, Samuel Kidd, Eva Laing, Lucy Laing, Greta Laing, and Baby Nigro.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Elaine on January 14, 2011; his parents; and a brother Leon Thorsell in February, 2013.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 6, 2020, at St. John Lutheran Church, Meade, with Reverend Kent Peck presiding. Friends may call Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with the family present from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Fidler-Orme-Bachman Mortuary, Meade. Interment will follow in the Graceland Cemetery, Meade.

In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome memorials to St. John Lutheran Church or the Meade Public Library in care of the funeral home.

Personal condolences may be given to the family at www.fidlerormebachmanmortuary.com