Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
A funeral service for Charlotte L. Thorne was held Saturday, May 1, 2021, at the United Methodist Church in Everly. Pastor Michael Eeten officiated.
Pallbearers were Melissa (Nick) Helt, Danielle (Luke) Kosterman, Whitney (Scott) Engelke, Lisa (Erik) Smith, Racheal (Nate) Westhoff, Alex (Larissa) Thorne, Sara Morrissey, Eric Thorne and Kaitlyn Williams. Interment was at Lone Tree Cemetery near Everly. Hartley Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements.
Charlotte Lavonne Thorne was born Feb. 28, 1935 near Spencer, the daughter of Floyd and Myrtle (Case) Fliss.
She received her early education at the local country school before her family relocated to Humboldt. In 1947 they moved back to the area, settling north of Everly. Charlotte completed her education at Everly, graduating from Everly High School as valedictorian of the Class of 1953.
That same year, Charlotte was united in marriage to Harold “Hap” Thorne shortly before he joined the service. Their life together began at Fort Sill, Okla., where they lived for one year before Hap was sent to Japan. Following his honorable discharge, Hap and Charlotte returned home and lived on a farm south of Lake Park for three years, and then moved to a farm south of Moneta where they spent their life and raised four children: Susan, Steven, Denise, and Michael.
Charlotte enjoyed her life in the country, helping Hap as she could, tending her garden and staying involved in her kids’ activities. She saw to it their home was a warm, safe place to be and there was always something good to eat in the kitchen. Who could resist a warm pan of her cinnamon rolls or homemade buns? The grandkids’ favorite request was her gooey macaroni and cheese followed by a chocolate brownie (or two)!
When she could find some quiet time, Charlotte filled it up playing the piano or making quilts. Hours were spent selecting fabric and carefully piecing together “memories in fabric.” However, it could easily be set aside if it meant spending precious time with the grandchildren.
On Sunday, April 25, 2021, Charlotte passed from this life at the age of 86 years. Preceding her in death were her parents, Floyd and Myrtle Fliss; brothers: Virgil (Lois) Fliss and Verlyn Fliss; sisters: Muriel (Gale) Allen and Marjorie (Henry) Mertens; and brother-in-law, Ralph Wichmann.
Keeping her memory close at heart are her husband, Hap, of Hartley; her children: Susan (James) Williams, of Racine, Wis.; Steven Thorne, of Hartley; Denise (Dave) Morrissey, of Urbandale; and Michael Thorne, of Hartley; nine grandchildren: Melissa (Nick) Helt, Danielle (Luke) Kosterman, Whitney (Scott) Engelke, Lisa (Erik) Smith, Racheal (Nate) Westhoff, Alex (Larissa) Thorne, Sara Morrissey, Eric Thorne and Kaitlyn Williams; 14 great-grandchildren: Killian, Elaine and Grayson Helt, Cole and Zachery Kosterman, Brooklyn, Kyle and Wyatt Smith, Ethan Thorne and Ellee Engelke, Connor, Collin and Anna Westhoff, and Anthony Thorne; her sister, Lois Wichmann; sister-in-law, Annie Fliss; other relatives and many friends.
