IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Erika W.
Thornton
February 7, 1927 – August 22, 2015
Obituary
Erika "Wally" W. Thornton, age 88, Concordia, KS, passed away on Sat., Aug. 22, 2015 at the Mitchell County Health Systems Resident Care Center, Beloit. She was born on Feb. 7, 1927 in Poessneck, Germany to Fritz & Gertrude (Patcer) Distler.
Erika's father was a miner and her mother was a homemaker. She grew up in town with 6 brothers. Around the age of 12, she went to the store, upon returning, her home had been bombed and she lost all her family. She survived by living on the street like the rest of the kids during war time. Erika attended school in Poessneck and after graduating she continued her education in Saalfeld, Germany, where she said she "studied everything"
Erika met Melvin "Mel" Thornton while he was stationed in Germany, they dated for about 2 years and they were married on May 19, 1961. They lived in Frankfurt, Germany for a year in half before moving to California where they resided for the next 17 years. They returned to Melvin's hometown, Randall, KS and have resided for the past 34 years. Erika enjoyed cooking and worked at Mitchell Co. Hospital and the Girls Industrial School. She and Melvin would 'winter' in Arizona for 12 years, until they were unable go to due to health issues. They later moved to Beloit to the Resident Care Center when Mel's health declined. He preceded her in death on Aug. 25, 2013. Erika was a take charge individual and always advocated for Melvin and his care.
She was preceded in death by her parents & 6 brothers.
Per Erika's wishes, cremation has taken place. Inurnment with her husband Melvin will be in the Randall Cemetery, Randall on Tues., Sept. 8, 2015 at 10:30 am. Condolences may be left online at
www.chaputbuoy.com
. Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Erika W. Thornton, please visit our flower store.
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