Ellen Wilma (Johnson) Thronson


Ellen Wilma Thronson died at her home March 9, 2016. She was 94

She was born February 18, 1922, as the youngest daughter of Andrew Gustaf Johnson and Louise Magdalena (Feyrer) Johnson. She was born at home in the Fernwood area outside Molalla, Oregon and later moved with her mom and sisters to her grandparent's home in the Dickey Prairie area of Molalla, near present day Feyrer Park. Her dad was killed in a tragic horse accident when she was eight months old.

She and her sisters grew up on the banks of the Molalla River. She attended Dickey Prairie Grade School and Molalla High School, graduating in the class of 1940. She continued her studies to be a nurse and graduated from Emanuel School of Nursing in Portland in 1943 as a registered nurse.

Ellen enlisted into the Navy as a Lieutenant JG and served in World War II as a navy nurse. She was sent to Puget Sound Naval Yard in Bremerton, Washington and then to North Island Naval Air Station out of San Diego, California on Coronado Island. In both hospitals, she worked in the psychiatric wards.

When the war was over, she came back to Molalla and fell in love with Roger Thronson, also of Molalla. They were married in November of 1947, after a courtship while she was Queen of the Molalla Buckeroo in July, 1947. She and Roger began their family on her old home place in Fernwood that had remained in family ownership. Ellen spent 31 years being a wife and mother to Rebecca Ann, Jack Jerome, and Holly Houise. Roger died in October 1973 of a massive heart attack. She remained on the farm she loved. Her life was very full, but most important were her family and friends, and all their activities.

She was a member of Foothills Community Church, Molalla Buckeroo Royals, Molalla Riverwatch, Molalla High School Alumni, Adams Cemetery Board and Red Cross Blood Drives.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Roger and one sister, Katherine (Mya) Oblack.

She is survived by her son, Jack Thronson; daughters, Rebecca (Becky) Wolf, and Holly Hordichok; 11 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Hannah Schink.

Burial Services were held at Adams Cemetery in Molalla on March 19, 2016. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 2, at Foothills Community Church, in Molalla at 12PM.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Legacy Hospice Services, Adams Cemetery Fund, Molalla VFW Post #3973, or Molalla Riverwatch.


Ellen Wilma (Johnson) Thronson


Ellen Wilma Thronson passed away at her home in Molalla on March 9, 2016,

She was 94 years old.

Ellen was born in rural Molalla on February 18, 1922 to Andrew Gustaf Johnson and Louise (Feyrer) Johnson.

Funeral arrangements include visitation on Saturday, March 19 from 9 AM to 10:30 AM at the Molalla Funeral Chapel, followed by burial services at 11 AM at Adams Cemetery in Molalla.

A celebration of life is scheduled on Saturday, April 2 at Footshills Community Church. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests conations may be made to the Adams Cemetery Fund, Legacy Hospice Services of Molalla VFW Post #3973.

Published in The Molalla Pioneer, March 16, 2016.