March 28, 1929 - December 14, 2023
Mary Jean (Runzel) Thornburg of Loveland passed away in Loveland, Colorado, on Dec. 14. Her family is grateful to God for her love and life of 94 years.
Mary Jean was born in Alton, Kansas, on March 28, 1929. She was the eighth of 10 children born to Nelson and Emma Runzel. Her father was a butcher who owned his own store in Alton and was known for extending generous credit to his customers. During the lean years of the Great Depression, he was forced to close his store and move his family to the nearby town of Osborne.
It was in Osborne where Mary Jean met the love of her life, Eldon Alonzo Thornburg, in 1942. Mary Jean graduated from Osborne High School in 1947. She then went on to attend nursing school in Wichita, Kansas. Her training was cut short, however, in 1949 when she suffered a blow to the head from a patient for whom she was caring.
That same year, Mary Jean and Eldon were married at the Kill Creek Methodist Church near Osborne on Dec. 18, 1949. Their vows to love each other in sickness and in health and for richer or poorer were tested from the start. But strengthened by love and faith, Mary Jean gave birth to twins — Jeannie Lynn Thornburg and Larry Eldon Thornburg — while living in Concordia, Kansas.
Mary Jean and Eldon moved their family to Norco, California, in 1957 and eventually to nearby Riverside, where Mary Jean cared for her home and family. She also sang in the choir and played handbells at their church.
Mary Jean and Eldon fell in love with Colorado and began to spend summers at their cabin near Eleven Mile Reservoir. In 1990 they moved to Loveland. Mary Jean enjoyed being a member of Mt. View Presbyterian Church and enjoyed writing poetry, with one of her verses being featured as part of the annual Loveland Valentine's Day cards.
Mary Jean is survived by her husband, Eldon; her son, Larry (Marjory); her grandsons, Eric (Susan) and Ryan (Bronwyn); and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Jeannie.
Burial will be held at a later date at Osborne Cemetery in Osborne, Kansas.
In lieu of flowers, Mary Jean's family encourages you to make a donation to a church of your choice.
