Ann L. Thornton

Family and friends mourn the loss of Ann Louise Thornton, age 84. She passed away peacefully at home in Akron, CO on August 20, 2024, with her loving husband, Gordon, by her side. She was born on July 18, 1940, to Henry and Elsa Westberg of Chicago, Illinois.
Ann attended Carroll University in Waukesha, WI where she met the love of her life, Gordon L. Thornton. In 1959, Gordon, who sat by her in class, asked her to a movie and the Homecoming Dance. Years later, she often laughed about her initial reservation in agreeing to the first date, due to his size, reputation, and the presence of duck feathers on his jacket. Gordon hearing the story, would shrug, saying he didn't have time to change between class and duck hunting. On their first date, he took her to the movie, A Dog of Flanders, where he cried, making her realize he was kindhearted. She spent the rest of her life with him. Married on April 8, 1961, they raised six children and often housed and cared for other local teenagers.
A devout Christian, she taught Sunday school at the Baptist church and participated in the music ministry at Valley Bible Fellowship in Westcliffe, CO. She also donated to help send teenagers on mission trips. Postcard writing became another ministry of hers. Her grandchildren, family members, and friends received postcards with a brief note from her every week for years to show she cared about them.
Having a nice voice, she sang in cantatas in Westcliffe and with the Sterling Master Chorale. She loved traveling with Gordon, often laughing about their eight-hour detours. On her travels, she collected decorative glass bells from all over the U.S. Visiting her family home in Green Lake, WI was one of her favorite places to travel to and will become her final resting place.
Ann graduated from Carroll University with a BA in Elementary Education and later earned her MA in the same field. Gordon took a teaching job in Westcliffe, CO. The Custer County School District hired Ann in 1965 to teach elementary classes. She continued working there until 1999. In 2002, she taught Special Education in Akron, CO where she eventually retired.
Ann is survived by her husband, Gordon Thornton; her six children: Jeff Thornton (Tammy); Kurt Thornton (Jeri Lynn); Joan Owens (Randy); Kirsten Stahn (Jason); Fred Thornton (Alicia); and Raymond Thornton (Kim); thirteen grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; her sister, Barbara Johnson and Brother, David Westberg; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Elsa Westberg; sister, Karen Leigh; brother, Harold Westberg; grandsons, John, Tad, and Todd Thornton; and granddaughters, Jessica Owens and Katie Thornton.
There will be a celebration of life service and reception for Ann at the Four Square Church in Akron, CO on August 30, 2024, at 11:00 am. Donations in Ann's honor may be made to the Four Square Church.