- Date Of Birth: January 21, 1934
- Date Of Death: March 17, 2021
- State: Illinois
Mary Ellen (Faber) Thurwanger, 87, of Ottawa, passed away on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at her home. Mary was born on January 21, 1934 in Redfield, IA to Harvey and Mary (Reeves) Faber. She married Elwyn “LeRoy” Thurwanger on May 3, 1952 in Santa Barbara, CA. Mary worked for Snap-On Tools until her retirement in 1994.Mary Ellen and her husband LeRoy always prioritized God, Family, and Friends.
She was active in the St. Columba church and the matriarch of her bible study and Holy Rosary groups. Until her passing, Mary Ellen was inquisitive and adventurous; learning to paint in her sixties, skiing and riding a motorcycle in her seventies, and skydiving in her eighties. She traveled to all fifty states and formed close friendships with people from all walks of life. Mary Ellen had an infectious, welcoming smile, a charming naiveté, and a sharp sense of humor.
She found the good in people and knew that lasting loving relationships are the key to a happy life. She is loved and will be missed. She is survived by 5 children; Donna (Robert) Walton of Georgia, Mary Ann (Charles) Van Grevenhof of Morris, Cathy Fultz of Ottawa, Janet Cetwinski of Fairview Heights, IL, and David Thurwanger of Wisconsin; a daughter-in-law, Donna Thurwanger of Oglesby;15 grandchildren, Brian (Jen Kanter) Walton, Diane (Charlie) Oskierko, Eric (Stacey) Walton, Mark (Michelle) Walton, Scott (Tia Messino) Walton, Mary (Regan McDonald) Walton, Carl (Jaclyn) Van Grevenhof, Clint Van Grevenhof, James (Lessie) Fultz, Shannon Cetwinski, Rachael (Chad) Bradley, Nicole (Dustin Von Ruden) Thurwanger, Allison Thurwanger, Jeremiah (Teagan) Derrick, and Zachary Derrick (Savanna Deleon); 14 great grandchildren with 2 on the way; 2 sisters, Jeanne (Roger) Zuercher and Georgene (Larry) Tegeler; and a brother, Ernest (Neva) Faber.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, LeRoy; a son Gary Thurwanger; 2 brothers; a sister; and 2 sons-in-law, James Fultz and Darrell Poirier
