Betty Jean Thornton, 91, died while surrounded by family Saturday, April 7, 2018, at home in Juliaetta. She was the wife of Donald Thornton, a longtime Lewiston resident, and was the widow of Nathan Alvin "Al" Traner.
Born Oct. 3, 1926, in Ellensburg, Wash., to Samuel and Edna Gould, Betty and her siblings, Dorothy Hamilton, Margery Whitmore and Bill Gould, grew up in Yakima. In 1944, she graduated from high school and lived in San Francisco. Betty married Al Traner in 1946, and together they raised three children: Dale Traner, Nancy Fish and Mark Traner. She was a dedicated, hardworking and loving mother who placed family first. Al's work took the family to several cities in Washington and finally to Clarkston, where Al died in 1984.
Betty worked as the intensive care unit secretary at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Lewiston. Known for her friendly care and bright smile, she was popular with everyone. Many people recognized and thanked her years later when they saw her in town.
While at the medical center, she met and married Donald Thornton, who had six children of his own: David Thornton, Donalee Wilkinson, Doug Thornton, Deb Emerich, Dan Thornton and Dane Thornton. That made her the matriarch of the Traner-Thornton blended family, which she thoroughly enjoyed. Betty and Don built a home in Juliaetta. They spent much of their time developing a lovely terraced garden overlooking the valley, boating on Dwarshak Reservoir, camping and four-wheeling in the Headquarters/Pierce area, and participating in numerous activities at the Congressional-Presbyterian Church.
Betty was always very active and lived her life to the fullest. Up until the end, she enjoyed all-terrain vehicle treks in the mountains, camping, boating and hiking. She looked forward to annual family reunions and enjoyed visiting relatives on both coasts, Alaska, Texas and England. An avid reader, she particularly enjoyed Civil War history and biographies. Other hobbies included genealogy and gardening.
Betty was a member of the Congressional-Presbyterian Church in Lewiston. She particularly valued the many friendships she made there.
She is survived by her husband, Donald Thornton; eight children and stepchildren; 19 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and a multitude of cousins, nieces and nephews.
She was greatly loved and will be very dearly missed.
Donations are welcome and may be made in her name to the Congregational-Presbyterian Church in Lewiston or to St. Joseph Family Hospice.
Memorial services will be held at noon May 12 at the Congregational-Presbyterian Church, 709 Sixth St., in Lewiston, followed by a reception at 1 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
Service Information
- Date & Time
- Saturday, May 12, 12:00 PM
- Location
-
Congregational Presbyterian Church
709-6th Street
Lewiston, Idaho 83501
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