Mandez Thordal, age 93, of Gary, Minnesota, died Monday, July 27, 2009, in Bridges Care Community, Ada, Minnesota.

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 there. As a young man he worked on threshing crews, cut wood near Roy Lake, MN and worked with his father at Thordal's Garage in Gary. On July 1, 1939, Mandez was united in marriage to Inez Flaa at Gary. The couple made their home in Gary where they raised their four children.

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 1940's 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 1960's 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 1970's. Inez died February 18, 2007. Mandez continued to make his home in Gary until the time of his death.

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 their cabin at Tulaby Lake and he especially enjoyed spending time with his family and playing cards with them.

Mandez is survived by his children, Dr. Bruce (Wil Akana) Thordal of Eagan, MN, Linda Mogen of New Town, ND; Lynn (Diane) Thordal of Gary, MN and Brian (Anne) Thordal of Minot, ND; a sister, Fern Knutson of Scottsdale, AZ; 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 will be Wednesday, July 29th from 5 to 7 PM with a Prayer Service at 7 PM in the Anderson Funeral Home, Twin Valley. Funeral Services will be Thursday, July 30th at 11:00 AM in the Gary Lutheran Church. Visitation will also be one hour before services at the church on Thursday. Officiating will be 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.

Inurnment will be in Gary Lutheran Cemetery, Gary.