Richard Jerome Thoen

Richard “Dick” Jerome Thoen, 89, of Casper, Wyoming, passed away on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, surrounded by his family.

Richard was born March 15, 1936, in Fargo, ND, to Ove and Anna Thoen, and he loved causing trouble and starting fires with his brothers on his parents’ farm. Richard told everyone he thought he had died and gone to Heaven when his parents moved the family to Laporte, Colorado, where the weather was so warm that he could play basketball outside at Christmas, and they had both running water and electricity. The only complaint he had about Colorado is that the fish were so much smaller than they were in Minnesota. Dick graduated as Valedictorian of his class at Laporte High School in Colorado in 1954, where he lettered in football, track, basketball, and wrestling.

Richard joined the Army as a Forward Aerial Observer in the Mortar Battery, 187th Infantry, where he was selected as one of only two honor graduates. However, he was proudest of becoming a member of the 101st Airborne Rangers. As Sergeant First Class stationed in Ft. Campbell, KY, he was 165 pounds of rompin’, stompin’ airborne hell, completing 28 jumps. In 1960, he was selected as the outstanding student of Jumpmaster Class #78 of the Airborne School and was nominated by his group commander for Rakkasan Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year. He earned multiple letters of commendation, including ones from Colonel Arndt Mueller, Colonel Henry P. Tucker for “out-performing all others” and General Westmoreland. He was awarded a Quilt of Valor for his military service in March, 2025.

Richard married Kenny Lou Martin, the love of his life, on May 30, 1965, and they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this year. They started every morning laughing at the breakfast table together, and he never liked to go anywhere without Kenny. In 1971, their son Jerry was born, and their daughter Kristen followed in 1973. He was incredibly proud of both of them.

After leaving the military, Richard became co-owner of the Linoleum and Carpet Studio in Casper, WY. He was an avid bowler - bowling a 300 game and 800 series - and was selected as 1996 Casper bowler of the year. He was also a master craftsman and woodworker, building several rooms, garages, and furniture items, as well as carving nearly 100 chainsaw bears. During retirement, he was a ranger at the Casper Municipal Golf Course, where he ensured that everyone remembered that “golf is a four-hour sport.”

Richard’s favorite people called him Uncle Dick and never failed to come when he called. He celebrated Sunday Sundaes every week with Kenny, Rick, Pam, Kaylee, Chloe, and Zac, where contested games of dominoes were played and lots of laughter was shared. He also enjoyed golfing, fly fishing, and camping in the Big Horn mountains. Fiercely independent, he shoveled his own snow and mowed his own lawn even when 89 years old.

Richard is survived by his wife Kenny Lou, their daughter Kristen, and her husband Kent; his daughter Vaughn Dee Lee and her husband Stephen; and his brothers Orlo and Robert. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews who were each very special to him.

Richard joins his beloved son Jerry Dean in heaven, as well as his parents, Anna and Ove, and his sister Marlene.

The celebration of life for Richard will be held on August 20, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Casper, WY, with Pastor Bert Eldredge officiating. Interment will follow at a later date at Monument Hill Cemetery in Thermopolis, WY. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Quilts of Valor at Crossroads Quilters, PO Box 667, Mills, WY 82644.