Petra Jean Thorpe

Petra Jean Thorpe, 66, died in her home in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on June 10, 2026, after a long courageous health battle. She was surrounded by her loving family, and in spirit by those who loved her.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Hawarden, Iowa with Father Sunny Dominic as the Celebrant. A lunch will follow and then inurnment at Eden Cemetery at Hudson, South Dakota. Visitation with the family will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. The Porter Funeral Home in Hawarden, Iowa is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent to www.porterfuneralhomes.com.

Petra, the daughter of Siebert (Andy) and Beulah Andela, was born in the Hudson Hospital on May 17th, 1960. She was the 9th child of a family of 11 siblings. Petra grew up in Hudson, South Dakota and attended and graduated from Hudson High School in 1978. She was very involved in all the activities high school had to offer, but what she cherished most were the lifelong friends she made in school. One special event that does stand out, was her senior year when she was crowned Homecoming Queen along with her future husband, Todd, as her Homecoming King. While in high school, Petra worked and eventually became the editor of "The Hudsonite" newspaper. She loved this job and worked at the paper until she moved to Sioux Falls in 1984

Petra married the love of her life, Todd Thorpe, on March 24th, 1984, at St. Lamberts Catholic Church in Sioux Falls. Todd and Petra were blessed with three children, Corey, Nathan, and Larissa. Their family was now complete. While raising a family, Petra started a job at Citibank in 1985, but eventually left to pursue a career at First Premiere Bank. She held the position of Security Lead in the Fraud Department from 1994-2022, retiring due to health reasons. She took pride in her job, and was respected by her colleagues for her work ethic and leadership.

Aside from her work, Petra had several activities she enjoyed. She was an incredible bowler, at one point bowling in three different leagues. She loved to travel, and two trips that she talked about were to Chicago and New York with her husband and their good friends, Mark and Stephanie Foster. Her favorite trips were annual week-long summer vacations with her children. Petra also loved to take long walks, especially with her neighbor and friend, Chris Smith. While Petra kept busy with work and activities, there was always time for her six grandchildren: Riley, Taia, Teagan, Tatum, Sawyer and Rosemary. She was made to be a Grandma and excelled in that role. She never missed their activities, from baseball to gymnastics, Grandma Petra was there in the stands cheering them on.

Grateful for sharing her life are her husband, Todd; three children, Corey (Courtney) Thorpe of Sioux Falls, Nathan (Alisa) Thorpe of Canyon Country, California, and Larissa (Dale) Magnuson of Sioux Falls; six grandchildren, Riley, Taia, Teagan, Tatum, Sawyer, and Rosemary; five brothers, Jack (Cindy) Andela, Chip Andela, Kenny (Betty) Andela, Chris (Tammy) Andela, and Richard (Peggy) Andela; three sisters, Lois (Kevin) Wagner, Deb (Kendal) Roti, and Eva (Carter) Horner; brother-in-law, Bob Fitch; sister-in-law, Terry Keill; several nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews; special friend, Crystal Vipond Knock; and many friends from all walks of life.

Petra is preceded in death by her parents, Siebert (Andy) and Beulah Andela; one granddaughter, Ava Thorpe; two sisters, Joyce Fitch and Barb DeSmet; brothers-in-law, Ronnie DeSmet and John Keill; in-laws, Dale and Luanne Thorpe; and sister-in-law, Tracy Thorpe.

Special thanks to Michelle and to the entire staff at Sanford Hospice for all of your care. You helped our family through a difficult time, and we will always be grateful to you.

Petra had a full life, filled with love of family and friends. She will be missed as deeply as she was loved.