Barbara Thorstad
(nee) Kelly, age 87, longtime resident of Chesterton, IN, passed away on
Tuesday, October 16, 2018, in Valparaiso, IN, surrounded by her loving
family.
She was born on May
7, 1931, in Chicago, IL, to Paul and Gertrude (Healy) Kelly.
Barb attended
Immaculata High School and Mundelein College both in Chicago, IL. She
married her best friend, James Thorstad in Chicago, IL, on July 14, 1951.
She is survived by
her husband, James Thorstad, Sr.; sons, James (Lauren) Thorstad, Jr. of
Chesterton and John (Laura) Thorstad of Valparaiso; daughters, Janice
(Daniel) Edquist of LaPorte, Kate “Kitty” Wallace of Valparaiso, Barbara
(Phillip) Warwick of Melbourne, FL and Patricia Zosso of Chesterton;
daughter-in-law, Kathleen (Bob) Hedge of Melbourne, FL; sister, Patricia
Connery of Elmhurst, IL; sister-in-law, Pat Thorstad and her children, Chris
and Bill of Chicago, IL; grandchildren, Julie Terhorst, Doug and Craig Hugus,
Tim, Chris, Ben, Kelly, Nick, Nate and Kaitlin Edquist, Natalie, Tom and
Drew Thorstad, Adam and Ryan Thorstad, David, William, Zachary and Robert
Hedge, Elizabeth Murphy and Katherine and Sarah Warwick, Paul Wallace,
Amelia Lasky, Jillian, Myles and Garrett Evans, Eric and Evan Thorstad and
great grandchildren, Suzi, Lucy, Colin, Isaac, Alma, Gavin, Ella, Troy, Sam,
Joey, Mia, Julia, Ethan, Alexzander, Atlas, Maximus, Cayden, Seton, AnnaLea,
Olivia, Owen and Bayne and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in
death by her parents; son, Thomas P. Thorstad and daughter, Susan Hugus;
sisters, Mary Kelly, Virginia (James) Kindelin and Frances (Russell) Leist;
brothers-in-law, Robert C. Thorstad and Joseph Connery; and granddaughter,
Lara Wallace.
Barb started her
career in education, she worked as a teacher’s assistant and substitute
teacher within the Duneland School system for many years. She later worked
at the Porter County Tourism Center. She was an excellent seamstress and at
one time had her own business with Stretch & Sew. Barb was a member of St.
Patrick Catholic Church where she was very active throughout the years. She
was a Lector, Eucharistic Minister, member of the Women’s Club and at one
time served as a member on the Parish Council. Barb also did volunteer work
through the Welcome Wagon and Meals on Wheels. She was a member of Delta
Theta Tau sorority. Barb was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and
community member. She enjoyed her time as a homemaker and was very involved
with all of her children’s activities. She was a caring friend to many and
will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Mass of Christian
Burial will be held on Saturday, October 20, 2018, at 11:00 a.m., at St.
Patrick Catholic Church, 638 N. Calumet Avenue, Chesterton, IN 46304, with
Father Nathaniel Edquist officiating and Father Jon Plavcan concelebrating.
Burial will follow at Chesterton Cemetery.
Visitation will be
on Friday, October 19, 2018, from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with a Rosary
at 5:00 p.m., at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home, 517 Broadway, Chesterton, IN
46304.
Visitation will be
held at the church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until time of Mass.
Memorials may be
made to Share Foundation With The Handicapped, Inc., P. O. Box 400, Rolling
Prairie, IN 46371-0400.