Archie Thomte was born on the family homestead in Ambrose township in 1913 to Anton and Camilla Stylen Thomte and, with the exception of 2 years, lived there his entire life.

Archie attended school through 8th grade at Grant School No.2 in Ambrose township and Hansen tractor school in Fargo.

Archie married Marjory Hoffman in June, 1947 in Sioux Falls, SD.  They were parents of two daughters, Ellen, born in 1949 and Diane, born in 1952.  Ellen is married to Roger Britton and lives in Froid, MT. They have three daughters, Alanna, Marla and Roxanna and one grandson, Brendan Peterson.  Diane is married to David Clinton, Bismarck.  They have three children, Virginia, Jim and Mary. Jim and wife, Megan, have a daughter, Tori.

Archie and Marjory were active members of the Colgan/Ambrose community from the early years of their marriage.  They were members of the Zion Lutheran church, each serving in many capacities in the church and ladies aid (WELCA) organization. Marjory was pianist for the church and Sunday School for over 30 years. Archie also served on the parish board. Archie was a member of the Ambrose Masonic Lodge, Shriners, Democratic-NPL party, Moose Lodge and Farmer's Union. Marjory was an Eastern Star, active with the Ambrose WELCA quilters, and involved in various church and school activities.

Archie served on many township and county boards. He was Divide County commissioner for 20 years, on the county welfare board, a board of director of the NW Human Resource Center, and the St. Luke's Hospital Foundation board. He was an avid supporter of Divide County Dollars For Scholars and many other local activities. He and Marjory were members of the Fortuna Senior Citizens, enjoying the social activities there. They also took bus tour group trips to many areas of the United States and Canada. They delighted in visiting the grandchildren and having them visit the farm.

Marjory passed away in March, 1992 and Archie in April, 2004.  The farm remains in the family and is the site of a Thomte/Stylen family reunion this summer coinciding with the Ambrose centennial.

 
Archie, Robert and Vernon Thomte - taken about 1917

Submitted by Diane Thomte Clinton, June 29, 2006