Minnie Thrall

Minnie K. Thrall, 95, of Fargo, ND, passed away on October 7, 2007 at Bethany Homes in Fargo, ND. Minnie Katherine Thrall was born on November 14, 1911 in Grand Forks, ND, the daughter of Philip and Carrie (Lippert) Purpur. Minnie grew up and attended school in Grand Forks, ND. On September 14, 1928, she was united in marriage to Arnold Thrall in Grand Forks, ND. Family members of Minnie include, daughter-in-law, Arla Thrall, Grand Forks, ND; Dwight ?Pete? (Phyllis) Thrall, Fargo, ND; Marilyn (Ron) Kavadas, Porterville, CA; Robert ?Buck? (Phyllis Elaine) Thrall, Huntington Beach, CA and their families; a sister, Donna Solarz, Chicago, Illinois and sister-in-law, Agnes Purpur, Seattle, WA. In 1960, while raising their 4 children, Glenn, Pete, Marilyn, and Buck, Minnie?s husband, Arnold, along with Herman Tupa, began Thrall & Tupa Electric of Grand Forks. After retirement, she and Arnold moved to Island Lake at Lengby, MN, where they enjoyed numerous visits from family and friends. Her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews fondly reminisce about these ?lake? years with Grandma and Grandpa Thrall. In 1980, Minnie and Arnold moved to nearby Fosston, MN where she lived for 20 years on the 3rd floor of an apartment building. She walked up and down those stairs several times a day and also walked ?downtown? to go shopping. The family was so proud of their independent Grandma Thrall who crisscrossed the country by bus and train to visit her children Marilyn and Buck and their families in California; sisters, Betty Graves in Bismarck, Helen Cross and her brothers? families in Seattle, and enjoyed visits from her sister Donna Solarz from Chicago, along with visits to her Grand Forks sisters, Florence Longmuir and Millie Jeffrey, East Grand Forks, MN. Dearest to their hearts were their children. Many a conversation flowed around the comings and goings of the ?Purpur? cousins. Minnie crocheted endlessly. When starting a project, her family would say ?Take your time?, but she didn?t know how to slow down and would have the afghan completed within a week or two. If she knew you needed dish towels, she had a set embroidered for you within a few days. Everyone in the family cherished those afghans and embroidered dish towels. They often became a keepsake. Minnie especially enjoyed making them for bazaars at Fridhem Church in Lengby, MN where she continued her fellowship with numerous church members. Minnie moved to Fargo, ND at the age of 89 to be near family. She enjoyed 3 more years of living independently. Her son, Pete and wife, Phyllis, considered it an honor to have their 92 year old mother live with them, and for the next 3 years, for the most part, wherever they went, she went. Minnie was ready to go at the drop of a hat, and often would ask ?Where are we going today.? On her list of places to go and things to do were bird watching at Lake Lizzie, MN and watching the deer and antics of the birds and animals at Lake Sakakawea, ND. Dear to Minnie?s heart were her 14 grandchildren, Cathy (Robert) Bunch, Brad (Andi) Thrall, Kim Thrall, Greg (Cindy) Thrall, Tammy Sian, Heidi (Rob) Svalina; Mark (Lori) Thrall, Jeff (Patty) Thrall, Susie Thrall White; Kathy (Chuck) Wolf, Julie (Andy) Anderson, Tommy Kavadas; Shelly (Lonnie) Wilson, Todd (Kari Goolsby); 20 great grandchildren, and 7 great-great grandchildren; her extended family of 4 step-grandchildren, Scott (Lori) Hamilton, Keith Hamilton, Laura (Joshua Ewing) Hamilton, Sarah (Aaron Solem) Hamilton; and 7 step-great grandchildren; her friends at Fridhem Lutheran Church in Lengby, MN; especially, her friend, Marion Bullock who will be 100 years young on Nov 4; and her special friends at the Senior Center at Crossroads, including her loyal escort, Chet Billman. Minnie is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Arnold in 1983, son, Glenn Thrall in 1970; daughter-in-law, Marilyn (Dolly) Thrall in 1986; four sisters: Betty Graves, Florence Longmuir, Helen Cross, Millie Jeffrey; three brothers: John, Sig, and Harry Purpur. The funeral is Friday, October 12, 2007 at 11 a.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Fargo. Visitation will be in the church one hour before the funeral service. Burial is Friday at 3 p.m. in South Memorial Park, Grand Forks, ND Arrangements are entrusted to Boulger Funeral Home, Fargo, ND Online guestbook www.boulgerfuneralhome.com