Violet Pearl Thornton

Violet Pearl Therien Thornton was born April 23, 1926, in a log cabin on a homestead located on O’Neill Mountain above Denton, Idaho and the Indian Meadows, which were flooded in the 1950s with the construction of the Cabinet Gorge Dam.  Violet passed away Thursday morning December 16, 2021, at Life Care Center, Sandpoint, Idaho. Our family would like to thank Life Care for their service to mom in the last two years of her life.

She grew up in Hope and attended school with her siblings at the Hope School through junior high school.  Violet attended and graduated from Clark Fork High School in 1944 with many fond memories of playing basketball and other sports.  Violet was the last living and youngest of eight children, one boy and seven girls, born to Hazel Elsie Franck Therien and Charles Russell Therien. Violet was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Richard Russell Therien, Henrietta Therien Van Stone, Elnora Therien Rojan, Doris Therien Cook Murietta, Myrtle Therien, Elaine Therien Loftin, a sister who died at birth, and many nieces, nephews, and friends. 

72 of her 95 years-long life were lived at 803 Pine Street, Clark Fork, Idaho; 50 years with the love of her life Paul Maxwell Thornton, who passed away in 1996. She met Paul Thornton in Clark Fork in 1945 and they were married on February 22, 1946. Violet and Paul had six children: Therien Maxwell, who was born in 1946 and died in July 2007 due to diabetes brought on by his exposure to Agent Orange during his military service; George, who was born in 1948; Brocklan, who died of crib death in 1950; Clinton, who was born premature and died in 1951; Roberta “Robin”, who was born in 1954; and Frances born premature and died in 1955.

Their lives were not easy, but despite the deaths of their three children and Paul’s struggles with PTSD all of their married life, theirs was a happy home; the door was always open to family and friends.  Violet and Paul raised their three children in Clark Fork, where Violet was a housewife and mother but also worked at the Clark Fork Mercantile for Emma Rathbun and for many years for Ruen Farms in potato processing, including planting, roguing, harvesting and sorting.  She absolutely loved working for the Farm and they sent her and other employees on many entertaining “Farm Show” trips.  Violet and Paul worked hard to support their family through the years with Paul working as a miner and a logger, before they purchased the Clark Fork Chevron.  When Paul became the Clark Fork Post Master they sold the gas station.  Violet continued to work for Ruen Farms.

Violet was a loving sister, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great great grandmother and aunt.  Her house was always open to relatives and friends, the Cooks, Rojans, Loftins, Van Stones, Theriens, Paul’s extended family, nieces, nephews, and grandkids.  In the early days those nieces and nephews were not much younger than Violet.  The extended family was always changing but the Christmas Eve spaghetti feeds, 4th of July picnics and celebrations went on for years and years until she could no longer do it because Violet did it all, until she couldn’t.  Most of her 95 years were spent giving to others.

Violet was an avid high school sports fan and as her red hair let you know, she always had an opinion from the sidelines, to support CFHS.  In fact, there were times when dad wouldn’t sit with her, because she would loudly voice her displeasure at a call made during the game.

Violet is survived by her two children, George and his wife Becky of Clark Fork, Roberta “Robin” and her significant other Brian Rose, of Mica, WA, a special nephew Clinton Van Stone and his wife Ila of Medical Lake, WA, and special niece Ina May Cook Wegner of Kellogg, Idaho.

As most of you know, her grandchildren were the loves of her life.  In fact, all children. She never met a child she didn’t stop to chat with…on a street corner, in a parking lot or grocery aisle.  She is survived by:

Violet’s grandchildren (Max’s): Jill Huddleston, Eryn Johnson (Toby Johnson), Leah Thornton, Ethan Thornton (Stephanie) and Ivan Thornton.  Max’s youngest daughter Afton Thornton Ponce was killed while serving in the United States Air Force. 

Violet’s great grandchildren (Max’s): (Jill’s) Jessica Bunn, Michael Huddleston, Nathan Huddleston, and Lukas Huddleston (deceased); (Eryn’s) Katheryn Sizemore, Benjamin Rodriquez, Grace Rodriquez, and Tommy Welliver; (Ethan’s) Reagan; (Afton’s) Maverick and Xavier; (Ivan’s) Ava, Roslyn and Rainey.

Violet’s great great grandchildren (Max’s): (Katheryn’s) Joshua Trapp, Jane Sizemore, (Jessica’s) Andersen and Julie Bunn, and (Grace’s) Marcella Kerr.

Violet’s grandchildren (George’s) Rachel Bernardi (Lee), Sarah Asunsion and Brocklynn Thornton.

Violet’s great grandchildren (George’s): (Rachel’s) Frances, Daniel and Merrill Smith; (Sarah’s) Waikala and Lehua Asuncion. 

Violet’s grandchildren (Robin’s):  Manda Hicks and Delaney Hicks.

Violet’s great grandson (Robin’s): (Delaney’s) Jaiden Hicks.

A celebration of Violet’s life will be held in Clark Fork on her 96^th birthday, April 23, 2022.  Arrangements are pending.

Those wishing to donate should direct them to your local animal shelter in her name.