Ida May Thornley

Our dearest mother, grandmother, sister and friend Ida May Thornley passed away Wednesday February 13, 2019 in her home at the age of 82.
Ida May was born November 18, 1936 in Unity, Idaho. Ida May was the 10th child of Daniel and Ida Eliza (Tueller) Bowen. She was 9 years old when they moved to the treasure valley. She attended schools in Boise and graduated from Boise High School in May of 1954. After high school she attended the Boise Business College where she acquired secretarial and bookkeeping skills that she used throughout her lifetime.
In 1956 she met and was courted by her sweetheart, Gerald Thornley. They were married on August 24 of that year. A year later on November 4, 1957, they were sealed for time and all eternity in the Logan Temple. Ida May had many great qualities which included: serving others, a strong work ethic, enduring strength, being honest in all her dealings, homemaking skills. She also had great love for those in her family and her friends.
Ida May and Gerald set a goal to dairy farm and began right away in their marriage fulfilling that vision. They bought a farm in Kuna, Idaho where they dairied, farmed, raised their family and enjoyed working and showing their draft horses.
Ida May was a faithful follower of her Savior and a Member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She served in numerous callings throughout her life including being called as the 11 year old girl’s primary instructor at the age of 81.
In 1996 she and Gerald sold their dairy farm in Kuna and moved to the Cache Valley to start new adventures over the next 23 years.
In December of 2015, her dear Gerald passed away. She continued working and loving her family near and far. She loved doing things with them. She attended many draft horse shows, ball games, plays, concerts, family trips all through her life. She was an avid fan of the Utah Jazz.
Ida May is survived by her six children: Sterling (Linda) Thornley of Macomb Twp. Michigan, Ralph (Tamera) Thornley of Adrian Oregon, Darrin (Christy) Thornley of Weston, Idaho, Joyce (Ken) Christensen of Nampa, Idaho, Wade (Amy) Thornley of Lewisville, Idaho and RaNae (Sam) Christensen of Preston, Idaho. She is also survived by 23 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, her dear brother Daniel (Carol) Bowen of Ogden, Utah along with several nieces, nephews and cousins.
A viewing will be held on Sunday February 17, 2019 at the Dayton Ward Chapel, 825 North Westside Hwy, Dayton, Idaho 83232 from 6:00 to 8:00 in the evening and Monday morning February 18, 2019 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. with the funeral starting at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in the Dayton Idaho Cemetery following the service.
The family wishes to express a heartfelt love and thanks to our dear Dr. Stuart Knapp, FCMC nurses, Gina and Michelle, FCMC hospice, May Lyn and Tanya, her dear friend Lisa Bunnell and her Dayton Ward family.
She fought several battles in life and won them all. We love and miss you Mom, till we meet again. Funeral Services are under the direction of Cache Valley Mortuary 435 787 8514, 80 West 4200 North Hyde Park, Utah. Condolences or memories may be shared on this website.