Lawrence Joseph Thorsen

Conrad - On December 26, 2023, we lost one of the good ones, Lawrence J. Thorsen. Larry was born in 1953, in Poplar, Montana, to Robert and Donna Thorsen.

Larry and his family moved to Great Falls when he was in high school. There he met his lifelong love, Beth George. They married in 1977, soon after Larry graduated from college with a degree in Music Education.

Larry was a musician's musician. He and his brothers started the Sundogs rock and roll band in the cold storage room of his Dad's music store when he was twelve. The brothers later formed Insanity's Children, and the Thorsen Brothers Band, playing all over Montana. Larry never tired of performing music and continued to play in various rock bands in Chester and Conrad with friends.

Larry taught band and choir for Chester and Conrad public schools for over 30 years. His students called him "Mr. T." He was at his best, and happiest, when teaching his students to sing, play instruments, and love music. Chester and Conrad High Schools were well known for having the best Pep Bands at area sporting events when he taught there. If Larry knew in advance that a competitor sports team would not have their own Pep Band at an event, he and his students would learn their school's song and play it for the team and crowd.

Larry loved walleye fishing, making stained glass art, The Griz, cool cars, and motorcycles. He taught motorcycle safety classes all over Montana for nine summers. A photo of him riding can still be seen on one of the Montana Motorcycle Safety promo posters. Larry and Beth rode to Sturgis on his Harley, and spent many hours riding in Glacier Park and on motorcycle poker runs.

Surviving the deep loss of Lar are his loving wife Beth; brothers Dave, Tom, Jim, Steve, Dan, Charles, and their families; sisters Patrice and Peggy and families; father Robert; sister-in-law Bobbe (Calvin) Lance; doggo Tilly; and a large loving group of Eve and Thorsen relatives. Larry was preceded in death by his brother Bob, mother Donna, and grandparents Joseph and Lorena Eve.

Larry was a simple man. He was gentle, kind, loyal, generous, and hilarious. He loved his family, friends, students, God, and country beyond measure. At Larry's request, no formal services are planned. The best way for family, friends, and students to pay their respects to Larry is to support music education in schools, take a motorcycle safety course before they ride free, and to adopt and love a homeless pet when they can.