Ann M. (Coleman) Thornburg of Wichita, peacefully passed away Saturday, September 14, 2019. Ann Maurice Coleman was born July 10, 1934, the daughter of Emery N. and Annis Blanche (Stewart) Coleman, in Sylvia, Kansas. After living in Sylvia until she was 9 years old, Ann and her family moved to Wichita in 1941. Ann graduated from East High School in 1952 and
went on to attend the University of Kansas City School of Dentistry in the summer and fall of that year.
Ann married Kenneth Dale Thornburg in 1953. They were introduced by her brother, while at Jeeps Motorcycle Club, where they raced motorcycles together, both earning trophies.
Ann and Dale were amazing partners in life.
After working as a dental hygienist, Ann’s career path took a different direction in 1964. She worked twenty years in various positions in the oil and gas industry, with Solar Oil Company, Clear Creek, Inc., and Energy Reserves Group (formerly Clinton Oil Company). She retired from ERG in 1984 after holding numerous positions from lease analyst to systems designer and helping design land-related systems.
After living 28 years in Wichita in the house Dale and his father built, they moved to Yoder, Kansas in September 1985, after purchasing the property from her cousin, where Ann and two cousins had previously opened And Cousins Make Three, an antique/craft/gift shop. Ann and Dale became primary owners of And Cousins Make Three and for 21 years they enjoyed the country life; she enjoyed painting, quilting, and talking to everyone who came into the shop, while he did woodworking. It was always said Ann never met a stranger, she would talk to anyone and everyone. Ann thoroughly enjoyed the annual Stewart family reunion and several reunions were hosted at the house in Yoder.
When Ann and Dale moved back to Wichita in 2006, Ann continued her painting, crocheting, and quilting. Her specialty was denim quilts, which she would always have several completed and ready to enter in the quilt auction during the annual Yoder Heritage Days celebration.
Ann lived life to the fullest. She enjoyed spending time with her family, her daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her husband Dale was the love of her life.
Ann Maurice (Coleman) Thornburg is survived by her husband of 66 years, Dale; daughters Karen Mikesell, Deborah McDonald and Carol Benoit; six grandchildren, Joseph D. (Jennifer) Mikesell of Haysville, Joshua Mikesell of Clearwater, Angela (Brent) Harrell of Conway Springs, Megan McDonald of Haysville, Matthew Benoit of Rose Hill and Kaitlyn Benoit of Wichita; and seven
great-grandchildren, Kelsey Mikesell, Cole Mikesell, Zachary Mikesell, Morgan McDonald, Gunnar Davis, Brantlee Davis and Colborn Harrell; her brother Ronald W. Coleman of Goddard and sister Virginia G. Jendel of Fort Worth, TX. Ann also leaves behind nieces, nephews, cousins and many great friends to cherish her memory. She was preceded in death by her parents,
Annis and Emery Coleman and son-in-law Joseph I. Mikesell.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at ALZ.org
or to Radio Kansas at 815 N Walnut, Suite 300, Hutchinson, KS 67501-6389
No services are scheduled.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.8.18