Mandez Thordal
Mandez Thordal, age 93, of Gary, Minn., died Monday, July 27, 2009, in Bridges Care Community, Ada, Minn.
Mandez Thordal was born May 19, 1916, the son of Oscar and Thea (Thronson) Thordal at Gary. He was raised in Gary and attended school their. As a young man he worked on thrashing crews, cut wood near Roy Lake, Minn., and worked with his father at Thordal’s Garage in Gary. Mandez played semi-pro baseball for many years. He played on teams from Fertile, Thief River Falls, and of course, Gary. At one time during his baseball career, he was asked to interview for the coaching position with the Minnesota Twins. Mandez continued to play semi-pro ball until the mid-1940s while operating Thordal Garage full time. Thordal’s Garage had the distinction of selling the first three Ford automobiles in Norman County. He operated the station until the late 1960s when it was sold. At that time, he began working on road construction for a few years. For forty plus years he was a part-time rural mail carrier before becoming a full-time carrier in the early 1970s.
Mandez was an active member of Gary Lutheran Church, sexton of the Gary Lutheran Cemetery, Mayor of Gary for many years, was a member of the school board as well as serving on the Gary Fire Department for 53 years. His favorite pastimes included golfing, traveling, including many cruises, fishing, spending time at his cabin at Tulaby Lake and he especially enjoyed spending time with his family and playing cards with them.
Mandez is survived by Dr. Bruce (Wil Akana) Thordal of Eagan, Minn., Linda Mogen of New Town, N.D.; Lynn (Diane) Thordal of Gary, Minn., and Brian (Anne) Thordal of Minot, N.D.; a sister, Fern Knutson of Scottsdale, Ariz.; eight grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, brother Harold and three sisters, Thelma, Doris and Inez.
Visitation was Wednesday, July 29th from 5 to 7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. in the Anderson Funeral Home, Twin Valley. Funeral services were Thursday, July 30 at 11:00 a.m. in the Gary Lutheran Church. Visitation was one hour before services at the church on Thursday. Officiating was Pastor John Ahola with Alden Anderson serving as organist and vocalist with Julia Mae Gullingsrud serving as accompanist. Pallbearers will be Andy Mogen, Eric Mogen, Jarett Mogen, Nicole Taylor, Justin Thordal, Ryan Thordal, Christopher Thordal and Brittany Thordal.
Interment was in Gary Lutheran Cemetery, Gary.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Anderson Funeral Home, Twin Valley, Minn. Online guestbook at www.andersonfuneralhome.tv