Elizabeth “Betty” (Coady) Thornton (1935-2014)

THORNTON, COADY, BODE, CHRISTY, GRAY, ROBB, MCKINNEY, BLACK, TURNER, MCMULLEN, KOWALSKI, SILLYMAN, GOUGHNOUR, HAGG, HAMM

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 9/27/2014 at 08:30:14

From Fredergill Family Funeral Home obituary, Collins and Zearing, Story County, Iowa:

ELIZABETH “BETTY” THORNTON Age 79
Date of Birth 5-7-35 Date of Death 8-16-14

Elizabeth “Betty” Thornton of Ames, formerly of Bondurant and Zearing, IA passed away peacefully with her loving family by her side on August 16, 2014 at her daughter’s home in Gilbert, IA under Hospice care.

Betty was born in Wesley, IA on May 7, 1935 to James and Pauling (Bode) Coady. The youngest of five children, she grew up in rural Bancroft and graduated from St. John’s Catholic High School-Bancroft in 1953. Betty also graduated from Mercy School of Nursing in Marshalltown, IA in 1956 as a Licensed Practical Nurse.

On April 24, 1957 Betty married Donald Thornton of Zearing and they settled in the Zearing area where they both farmed and raised six children. They were members of St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church. Betty was very active during this time as a wonderful cook, a bus driver for NESCO Schools, harvesting a large vegetable garden each year, raising poultry, and horses, and even a pet fox. She also enjoyed boating, fishing, camping, horseback riding as a member of the Zearing Saddle Club, bowling, playing cards, and getting together with her many friends.

In 1981, Don and Betty moved to Bondurant, IA where they built an earth home. Don continued working for WHO Radio and Betty worked at Warren Foods in Altoona. They attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Elkhart, IA. Don passed away suddenly in 1993 after 36 years of marriage. Betty retired and enjoyed visiting with her wonderful neighbors, friends, and relatives.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Debora (John) Christy of Gilbert; David Thornton of Bondurant; Diane (John) Gray of Altoona; Dennis (Gloria) Thornton of New Haven, MI; Donna Thornton of Zearing; Daniel (Cheryl) Thornton of Urbandale; 13 Grandchildren and 12 Great-Grandchildren, Catherine (Justin) Robb and daughter, Bree; Stephanie (Greg) McKinney and daughters Summer and Autumn; Stacie (Bill) Black and son Billy; Alexander (Kristin) Thornton and sons Julian and Griffin; Brody Thornton; Dustyn (Amy) Turner and daughter Estella; Cindy (James) McMullen; Kelly (James) Kowalski and children Cora, James, and Anna; Kodi Thornton; Jeff Thornton; Brynn Sillyman; Jessica (Jeremiah) Goughnour and children Landyn and Lyndsie; and Charlotte Sillyman.

Betty is also survived by her sister-in-law, Mary Ann Coady, brothers-in-law Melbourne Hagg and Bob Koll; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and wonderful friends.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands Don Thornton in 1993 and Ron Hamm in 2014; her older siblings, Jim (2011) Anna (2012) John (2013) and Mary (2014).

Special thanks to The Waterford of Ames assisted living staff and residents. Also thank you to Care Initiatives Hospice of Des Moines.

Betty has been entrusted to Fredregill Funeral Home in Zearing, IA.

A visitation for Betty will be held at Fredregill Funeral Home on Monday, August 18, 2014 from 5PM to 7PM with a Rosary at 7PM.

The funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, August 19, 2014 at 10:30AM at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church in Zearing officiated by Fr. Rick Dagit of St. Gabriel’s in Zearing and Fr. Dan Krettek of St. Mary’s in Elkhart. Burial will follow in Lincoln Township Cemetery-Zearing. The luncheon will be served by the St. Gabriel’s Ladies Guild at Dakin’s Community Center at 105 E Main St in Zearing, IA.

http://www.fredregillfunerals.com/
 

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