Person Page 2,933

Maggie May VanPelt was born in 1914 in Kansas.^1,2 She died in 1922, at age ~8.¹ She was buried in Sherman Cemetery, Oberlin, Decatur, Kansas.¹

Lucille Laura VanPelt was born on 3 April 1916 in Oberlin, Decatur, Kansas.^2,1 She and Barney Lee Thayer were married about 1932.³ She died on 31 October 2003, at age 87, in Carmichael, Sacramento, California.² She was buried on 21 November 2003 in Sunset Lawn Memorial Park, Sacramento, Sacramento, California.²

Lucille Laura VanPelt was in Senior Gleaners. THAYER, LUCILLE LAURA

Entered into rest on October 31, 2003 in Carmichael, CA. Age 87 years. Born April 3, 1916 in Oberlin, KS. Survived by her children Donald L., Norman D., and Lester L. Thayer. Also survived by 10 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her loving husband of 35 years Barney L. Thayer and 2 grandchildren.

Lucille worked with the Senior Gleaners in Elverta for several years and also loved cooking, sewing and canning. Friends are invited to a visitation on Thursday, November 20 from 4:00-8:00 PM and funeral services on Friday, November 21 at 12:00 Noon at SUNSET LAWN CHAPEL OF THE CHIMES, 4701 Marysville Blvd., Sacramento (922-5833). Burial will follow in Sunset Lawn Memorial Park, Sacramento.

Published in the Sacramento Bee on 11/19/2003.

Gertrude Ella VanPelt was born on 26 June 1918 in Beaver City, Furnas, Nebraska.^1,2,3 She and Veere Dale Cochran were married before 1937. She died on 26 September 1949, at age 31.³ She was buried in Oberlin Cemetery, Oberlin, Decatur, Kansas.³

Violet VanPelt was born in 1921.¹ She died in 1921, at age ~0.¹ She was buried in Sherman Cemetery, Oberlin, Decatur, Kansas.¹

Clara May VanPelt was born on 14 July 1923 in Kansas.^1,3,2 She died in December 1985, at age 62, in Greeley, Weld, Colorado.^1,3 She was buried in Riverview Cemetery, McCook, Red Willow, Nebraska.¹

Katie Maude Smith was born on 13 March 1910 in Kansas.¹ She and Leroy David VanPelt were married on 6 March 1927.¹ She died on 17 May 1982, at age 72, in Dresden, Decatur, Kansas.¹ She was buried in Sherman Cemetery, Oberlin, Decatur, Kansas.¹

Edna Alice Armstrong was born on 28 May 1905 in Kansas.^1,2 She died on 28 November 1989, at age 84.¹ She was buried in Sherman Cemetery, Oberlin, Decatur, Kansas.¹

Eldred L. VanPelt was born on 24 October 1926 in Kansas.^1,2 He died on 19 July 2000, at age 73.¹ He was buried in Las Animas Cemetery, Las Animas, Bent, Colorado.¹

Roy VanPelt was born on 10 February 1935.¹ He died on 10 February 1935, at age 0.¹ He was buried in Sherman Cemetery, Oberlin, Decatur, Kansas.¹

Virgil Francis VanPelt was born on 30 December 1935 in Kansas.^1,2 He died on 15 December 1980, at age 44.¹ He was buried in Sherman Cemetery, Oberlin, Decatur, Kansas.¹

Charlotte I. (?) was born on 23 July 1908.¹ She died on 15 August 1991, at age 83.¹ She was buried in Cedaredge Cemetery, Cedaredge, Delta, Colorado.¹

H. Donald VanPelt was born on 13 September 1928.¹ He died on 1 October 1958, at age 30.¹ He was buried in Cedaredge Cemetery, Cedaredge, Delta, Colorado.¹

Maxine D. (?) was born on 23 May 1928.¹ She died on 14 May 2007, at age 78.¹ She was buried in Cedaredge Cemetery, Cedaredge, Delta, Colorado.¹

Barney Lee Thayer was born on 31 March 1905 in Lewis County, Missouri.¹ He and Lucille Laura VanPelt were married about 1932.² He died on 23 November 1967, at age 62.¹ He was buried in Sunset Lawn Memorial Park, Sacramento, Sacramento, California.¹

Norman Dale Thayer was born on 11 December 1935 in Mc Cook, Red Willow, Nebraska.^1,2 He died on 23 March 2008, at age 72, in Post Falls, Kootenai, Idaho.¹ He was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Post Falls, Kootenai, Idaho.¹

Norman Dale Thayer was a Warehouseman in United Retail Merchants.¹ SA, U.S Navy.

Norman Dale Thayer, of Post Falls, passed away peacefully at home March 23, 2008, surrounded by his immediate family. He was born in McCook, Neb., to Barney and Lucille Thayer on Dec. 11, 1935. As a small child he moved with his parents and brother Donald to Yuba City, Calif.. in 1938. His younger brother, Lester, was born after they arrived in California. They moved several times before finally settling in the North Sacramento area, where Norm graduated from Grant Union High School in 1954. Norm was a very outgoing and gregarious man who maintained a number of long distance relationships with special life-long friends. He regularly attended high school reunions and maintained those wonderful relationships with numerous trips to his 'Äúchildhood stomping grounds.'Äù

Norm served his country in the United States Naval Reserve from 1953 to 1961, where he received an honorable discharge.

Working with his father and brothers, Norm applied the family trade a meat cutter (butcher) working at a number of retail and wholesale shops until he and Ina left California and settled in Post Falls on Dec. 31, 1979. He worked as a warehouseman for United Retail Merchants until his retirement in 1999.

He married Ina B. Piper on Jan. 14, 1955. Norm had an exceptional work ethic. He was an excellent provider and made numerous sacrifices to make sure the needs of his family were always met. This work ethic has been passed on to his children, who are grateful to have had a dad who took the time to teach his children to be responsible members of the community.

Norm was an avid outdoorsman and master of his garden. He was well known for the Walla Walla onions and the sweet corn he grew. He was also well known for the kokanee salmon he caught and smoked in his legendary 'Äúsmokehouse.'Äù He was a very generous man who shared his bounty with many friends and acquaintances in the local community. During Norm'Äôs 29 years in the Post Falls community he cut 'Äúhundreds of cords'Äù of wood that were donated to those in need that allowed them to heat their homes thorough the year. When Norm wanted a new chain he just wore out the old one. As Norm approached the twilight of his life, the family watched with amazement as he wore out his physical body in the service of others. No greater gift can one give to another.

In 2005, Norm was diagnosed with cancer. He worked diligently with his doctors and aggressively fought the 'ÄúC'Äù word. At the time of his passing he was cancer free. Norm developed a new adopted family at the American Cancer Society. During his two-year association with this adopted family, many lifelong friendships and bonds were developed and strengthen.

Norm was especially proud of his youngest son, Sgt. Justin Thayer, for his dedicated service to his country through his deployment to the Kuwait-Iraq Theater in 2005. Sgt. Thayer is preparing for a second tour of duty to Iraq this year. Godspeed Justin.

Norm was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Ina of Post Falls; children: Richard (Diane) of Eagle River, Alaska, Laura (Bill) of Tigard, Ore., Scott (Beth) of Martinez, Calif., and Justin, of Post Falls; and seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

A viewing will be held from 12 until 8 p.m. today, March 25, 2008, at the Evergreen Funeral Chapel in Post Falls, with a memorial service to be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 26, 2008, at the Post Falls Second Ward LDS Chapel. A reception will held at noon at the LDS Chapel immediately following a graveside ceremony at the Evergreen Cemetery in Post Falls.

Norm was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served and assisted members of the local community as an employment specialist in the Spokane LDS Employment Office and assisted local members of the Church community through his dedicated and unselfish service at the Spokane LDS Temple. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society or Hospice of North Idaho, 9493 N. Government Way, Hayden, ID 83835, who took such compassionate and dignified care of Norm in his final days.

As a family, we are truly grateful to those wonderful women who cared for our father, Ina'Äôs husband and your dear friend Norm, as he transitioned from this world to the next. Until we meet again, you will be missed but not forgotten.