Ella Thurston

Ella Thurston of Jamestown died Thursday morning, January 8, 2015 at Hilltop Lodge in Beloit. She was 89 and had been in ill health for some time. Ella was born September 9, 1925 near Concordia to parents Gasper and Lottie Fraser. When she was small the family moved to a farm near Wayne, Kansas. Ella was the sixth child of 8. She graduated from Agenda High School and then attended St. Josephs School of Nursing graduating in 1946. She worked at a Dr.'s office, did Private Duty Nursing and for many years was the Administrator of Cheyenne Lodge Nursing Home in Jamestown until she retired. Ella was a Board member of the Kansas State Nursing Association. She married Bryant Thurston on September 1949 in Denver Colorado. They farmed near Jamestown where they raised 3 children, Ann, Jon and Lee. Ella loved helping Bryant with the cattle. She enjoyed gardening and was a great cook. She was a Master bridge player and played in many tournaments until her health failed. Ella is survived by her husband Bryant of the home, son Lee of Glasco and daughter Ann of Cady, NC. She is also survived by daughter-in-law Bonnie Thurston of Concordia and grandchildren, Jon Jr. of Lincoln, Nebraska, Travis Thurston of Providence, Rhode Island and Jessica Thurston of Glasco, and one brother Paul Fraser of Hillsborough, California. She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant daughter Barbara and son Jon Thurston, 3 brothers: Louis Fraser, Ray Fraser and Dennis Fraser and three sisters: Sister Mary Joseph, Roberta Kepler and Rita Galvin. Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Concordia, with Father Brian Lager as Celebrant. The Recitation of the Rosary and Vigil Service will be Monday, January 12, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. at Nutter Mortuary. Visitation will be Monday 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Nutter Mortuary. Memorials may be given to the donor's choice. Burial will be at Highland-Summit Cemetery, rural Concordia. To leave online condolences please visit nuttermortuary@yahoo.com
Nutter Mortuary, 116 E. 6th St. Concordia, KS 66901 is in charge of arrangements.