Thief River Falls: Gunner Thorpe Dies at 18

Gunner Jack Thorpe
Gunner Jack Thorpe

Thief River Falls, Minnesota (trfnews.i234.me) β€” Gunner Jack Thorpe died on January 7, 2026. He was 18. His death occurred in Plummer, Minnesota.

Service details

A Celebration of Life service is scheduled for Saturday, January 17, 2026. The service starts at 1:00 p.m. It will be held at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls.

Visitation is set for the same day. It runs from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. It will also be at Johnson Funeral Service.

Rev. Jonathan Dodson will officiate.

  • Visitation: 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Saturday, January 17, 2026
  • Celebration of Life: 1:00 p.m., Saturday, January 17, 2026
  • Location: Johnson Funeral Service, 420 La Bree Avenue North, Thief River Falls

You can view the full notice and guestbook through the funeral home at Johnson Funeral Service’s obituary page.

Gunner Jack Thorpe
Gunner Jack Thorpe

Life in Thief River Falls

Gunner Thorpe was born on November 1, 2007. He was born in Thief River Falls. He attended Challenger Elementary and Franklin Middle School.

He later attended Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls. Family said he was well-liked by classmates and staff.

During several summers, he worked at Falls Stay N Play in Thief River Falls. Family said he made close friends there.

Interests and activities

The family said Gunner loved sports and fitness. They said he enjoyed wrestling, soccer, baseball, and basketball. They also said he liked going to the gym.

He enjoyed golfing with friends. He also liked working on older cars and small engines. Family said he enjoyed riding dirt bikes with friends.

Survivors

Gunner Thorpe is survived by family members in the Thief River Falls area.

  • Mother: Shawna (Jon) DeMolee
  • Father: Darin Thorpe
  • Sister: Noel (Tyler) Richards
  • Nephew: Hunter Richards
  • Brother: Michael Thorpe
  • Grandparents: Carol (Bryan Stevens) Bray; Tom (Nancy) Bray; Jerry and Kathy Thorpe
  • Great-grandmother: Jeanette Bray
  • Second mothers: Stacey Olson; Melanie Hanson

Family also noted his dogs: Shadow, Penny, Mister, Missy, and Lily. They said he cared deeply for them.

Preceded in death

Family said Gunner was preceded in death by several relatives. That includes great-grandparents Jack and Elsa Nomeland. It also includes Henry Bray and Annette Boe.

Also listed were Ilton and Helen Thorpe, and Raymond and Edny Neuhalfen. Family also listed grandparents Larry and Joanne Miller. They also listed an aunt, Darci Thorpe.

More information

Support resources are available through the funeral home at its grief resources page.

I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.

143 comments

  21. I had Gunner in my Peer Learning class a few years back and he was so kind, so funny and so polite. This is shocking to read and I am so sorry for the loss his loved ones are feeling now. My thoughts and prayers go out to them all.

  25. So sorry Shawna and family. My heart is breaking for you all. οΏΌMay you find peace in all of your memories and strength in the days aheadπŸ™πŸ₯ΊπŸͺ½

  26. Sending lots of love, thoughts and prayers for the entire familyβ€οΈπŸ™πŸ»β€οΈGod’s Blessings to you all✝️

  38. Visitation: 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Saturday, January 17, 2026
    Celebration of Life: 1:00 p.m., Saturday, January 17, 2026
    Location: Johnson Funeral Service, 420 La Bree Avenue North, Thief River Falls

  54. My heart goes out to this family and the the other driver. Prayers for all as they go thru the days ahead. πŸ˜’πŸ™πŸ»πŸ™πŸ»πŸ™πŸ»πŸ™πŸ»

  77. Something no parent should ever go through.
    My condolences to the family and friends of this young man. πŸ₯Ί May God bring you through this and comfort you.

  108. Every parents worst nightmare πŸ’” so unbelievably unfair, my condolences to his family friends and loved ones. If only we could turn back time sometimes.

  129. Praying for peace and God’s comfort during this heartbreak. My heart has broken for your loss, but God is there, and with you always. πŸ™πŸ™πŸ™ So very sorry.

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