Thorris Sandvick

Liturgy of the Word for Thorris Sandvick, 81, of Killdeer, will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 4, 2012 in the Killdeer Public School Gymnasium in Killdeer with Father Darnis Selvanayakam celebrating. Lunch and fellowship will be at the Buckskin before the burial. Burial will follow in the Oakdale Cemetery in Killdeer.


Family will be receiving Friends from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Sunday, September 2, 2012 at Stevenson Funeral Home in Killdeer. Visitation for Thorris will be one hour prior to the service in the gymnasium on Tuesday.


Thorris passed away Monday, August 27, 2012 at his ranch near Killdeer, ND.


Thorris Everett Sandvick was born January 22, 1931 in Dunn County, the son of Ole and Gustine (Bjore) Sandvick. He grew up and attended country school in Dunn County and high school in Killdeer. As a young man, he worked for area ranchers. On August 20, 1955, Thorris was united in marriage to Lynell Fettig at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Killdeer. To this union six children; Monte, Randy, Marla, Twila, Larry and Laura were born. The couple purchased the Fettig Homestead, raising their family there and living on the ranch their entire life. Thorris loved the cowboy way of life, taking on any task the ranch offered. He spent his life sharing his time, experience and knowledge with his family and the community he loved. He had the highest respect for his wife and together with love and caring they created many wonderful family memories. He supported and worked with the youth of the area through 4-H, FFA and junior and High School rodeo, as well as being a driving force in positive changes in the community of Killdeer. He and Lynell were pioneers in bringing tourism to Dunn County through Little Missouri State Park and also their own private tourism business. He supported the Medicine Golf Course, the construction of the current Killdeer rodeo arena, and along with Beni Paulson, the memorial grandstand at the rodeo grounds. Thorris received many awards for service to the people of this area; Roughrider Rodeo Rancher of the Year, Dunn County Outstanding Business Award, ND Parks and Rec Special Merit Award, and Dunn County NDSU Harvest Bowl Honorees, among numerous others. He also contributed to the community and the state with his participation in numerous organizations. Thorris had a lifetime involvement in rodeo, from being a contestant, a promoter, and a stock contractor. He was a loving, giving, family man, who found time for his wife, children and grandchildren.


Thorris is survived by his wife, Lynell; sons, Monte (Juli) Sandvick of Gillette, WY, Randy Sandvick of Killdeer, and Larry Sandvick of Kaycee, WY; daughters, Twila (Tom) Benz of Killdeer and Laura (Mark) Weishoff of Ray, ND; son-in-law, Noel Zingg of Bismarck; eleven grandchildren, Jenni (Josh) Sateren, Taylor and Tanner Sandvick, Tucker Zingg, Danielle and Hannah Benz, Josey, Dylan and Wyatt Sandvick, Dawson and Payson Cvancara and two great-grandchildren Isabelle and Lila Sateren; and one brother, Olaf (Ruth) Sandvick of Dickinson.


He is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Marla Zingg; grandson, Jaxon Cvancara; brothers, Robert, Harold, Glenn, and Duane Sandvick; sisters, Olive Judkins and June Kreger.


In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials be made to High Plains Cultural Center, a project that Thorris was passionate about and instrumental in launching.


Click to View Program (PDF)


Burial Date: September 4, 2012
Funeral Home Killdeer, ND

Liturgy of the Word: Tuesday: Killdeer Public School Gymnasium, Killdeer, ND