THORSON, Joan

The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ March 10, 1999, p. 16 Memorial services for Joan Thorson of Wickenburg will be held Thursday, March 11 at 2:30 p.m. at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Wickenburg, with Rev. Charles Threewit officiating and on March 15 at the Christ Church in Newcastle, Wyoming with Rev. Ben Wright officiating. She died March 9 at her winter home in Wickenburg. Her death was caused by the effects of 50 years of smoking. Mrs. Thorson was born August 29, 1934 in Harrison, Nebraska to Floyd and Billie Williams. She spent her early childhood in Luck, Wyoming and Edgemont, South Dakota, areas and on the thoroughbred race tracks of Nebraska, where her father was an owner/trainer of race horses. She was also, often a guest of her aunt and uncle, Dutch and Emma Updike, in the Osage, Wyoming oil field. She attended several high schools and graduated from Edgemont, South Dakota. Mrs. Thorson spent some time working in California and then returned to Nebraska. She married Tom Seeley in 1954, and they moved to Newcastle, Wyoming where they managed the airport and operated fire suppression bombers. They had three children and then moved to Casper and then to Wickenburg. They were divorced in 1977. She married Don Thorson in Wickenburg in November 1979 and moved back to Newcastle in a blizzard. They made their home in Newcastle, with winter visits to Arizona, until Don sold the oil business, at which time they split their time between homes. Mrs. Thorson had a real love for race horses and was especially proud of her nephew Rob, who is a jockey. She also was a devoted fan of Tom Osborn and the Nebraska football team. She loved interior decorating and was a good amateur artist. Mrs. Thorson will be remembered for her optimistic outlook on life, a strong independent spirit, and the way she overcame the obstacles in her life. She had an especially sad time when Kevin, one of her 18-year old twins, was killed while she was going through a divorce, but she regained her spirit. She then managed to earn a real estate sales license and became a Century 21 agent before she remarried. She is survived by her husband Don and son Kent Seeley; grandchildren Craig and Candice; brother Dean Williams and four nieces and nephews. Mrs. Thorson was preceded in death by her parents and a son. Memorials may be made to the Wickenburg In-Home Health Hospice in place of flowers. Contributions may be made directly or sent to P.O. Box 2964, Wickenburg, AZ 85358.