Marilyn J. ‘Mary’ Thorson

July 21, 1927 - January 30, 2010



Memorial services for Marilyn J. “Mary” Thorson, 82, will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 2, at Bethel Baptist Church with Pastors Don Mathis and Doug Arendsee officiating. Mary died at her home in Torrington, surrounded by loved ones, Saturday, Jan. 30, and cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established to Valley Christian School. Arrangements are under the direction of the Colyer Funeral Home and friends may send condolences to the family at www.colyerfuneralhome.com.

Marilyn Joyce (Evers) Thorson was a daughter, mother, sister, wife, grandmother, great-grandmother, mother-in-law and friend. Her smile and infectious laugh could fill a room. Whether Mary was caring for patients as a young nurse in Omaha, raising her four children at the ranch in Harrison, Neb., while treating patients at the home health clinic, or volunteering with her Bethel Baptist church members in Torrington, her generous spirit was one of her greatest gifts. She was always happy to lend a hand and offer comfort and a quick smile.

Mary also knew how to have fun and never took herself too seriously, whether it was her daily countdown to the afternoon cocktail hour, her weekly challenge to do the Sunday crossword puzzle in pen, rooting for the Cornhuskers and Broncos, or her well-intentioned but disastrous culinary skills. Mary also enjoyed traveling. From Deadwood to Denmark, she’d keep in touch with friends and family by sharing random musings and loving remembrances hastily scratched across the back of a postcard in her trademark illegible scrawl.

A deep and abiding faith in God sustained Mary throughout her life. She had a quiet and gentle way of reminding others to always find the joy in life, even in our darkest moments.

Mary is survived by her four children, John Mann of Calexico, Calif., Bill Mann of Scottsbluff, Neb., Julie Grote of Torrington and Debra Schinzel of Osceola, Iowa. Mary is also survived by her two sisters, Joan Barnett and Patty Waller both of Omaha, Neb., as well as six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and other extended family.

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