Esther Thornburg

Esther Thornburg February 11, 1924 ~ May 28, 2021

Esther was born in Spokane, Washington in 1924. She was the 7th of the nine children of David and Grace D. Brown. Esther passed away peacefully on May 28th, 2021 following a long battle with Alzheimer’s at home with her daughter Tisha by her side. Esther grew up in Omak and Clarkston, Washington, and graduated from Clarkston High School in 1942. She then went on to graduate from the State College of Washington on Feb 10th, 1947 with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics. She attended Northwest Institute of Medical Technology and received a diploma in the Theory and Practice of Clinical Laboratory on Sept 22nd, 1949.

On January 31st, 1958, Esther enlisted in the United States Navy Reserves and served four years. She was Honorably Discharged at the rank of HM2: Hospital Corpsman First Class (E-6), During this time she met Norman Eugene Thornburg. After a short time, dating, they were married on October 11th, 1958 by her father David Brown. They were married for 57 years + until the sad passing of her beloved husband Norman Thornburg on June 6th, 2016.

Esther loved gardening, grew and canned a lot of the vegetables for the family dinners. She also loved planting flowers. She was a wonderful baker, seamstress and homemaker Esther made most of the clothes Tisha wore in Elementary school. She had a great love for animals but mainly cats.

Esther was always willing to help anyone who asked. She had several jobs over the years. She was a phlebotomist for several years prior to meeting Norm. Being a military family Esther moved often until finally settling in Mountain Home, Idaho in 1968. Esther worked in the lunchroom at Mountain Home Junior High while her daughter attended school there. She worked at the JC Penny catalog store for a short time and was a volunteer at the Mountain Home Visitors Center. Esther was an active member of several churches in the area and was a founding member of Grace Lutheran Church at the time of her passing.

Esther was preceded in death by her parents, her four sisters Ethel, Mary, Jean & Ruth and two brothers David and Robert Gordon. Esther is survived by her two brothers Clarence Brown & Clark Brown, her daughter Tisha Thornburg, son Curtis Thornburg (Shawna), and two grandsons Alex Thornburg and Daniel Thornburg (Brenna).

The family would like to thank Sherry Potter, for taking such great care of my mother when we could not be there. You are now an honorary member of the family. We would also like to thank Encompass Home Health and Hospice for their hospice work with Esther. You all made a big difference.

A Memorial service will be held at Rost Funeral Home on June 14th, 2021 at 1:00 pm followed by a short graveside service with military honors.

We love you MOM and will miss your smile, baking, laughter, wisdom and sarcasm.