Walter Thornton Obituary

Walter R. Thornton, 68, of Nokomis, Fla., formerly of Wabasha, died Friday, April 6, 2018 at Venice Bayfront Regional Hospital in Venice, Fla.  
    He was born Sept. 1, 1949 in Newport, R.I., to Richard and Mildred (Gibson) Thornton.  He was a graduate of Wabasha High School.  Walt worked as a machinist in Winona for DCM Tech.  He retired in April 2017.  He married Lisa Shreve March 19, 1976 in Rockford, Ill.  The couple moved to Florida in June 2017.  
    He enjoyed fishing and boating on the Mississippi River and in his younger years camping on the river sand bars with his family.  He also enjoyed watching football games.  One of his jobs at home was taking charge of the Weber grill.  His greatest joy was time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren.  
    Walt is survived by his wife, Lisa Thornton, Nokomis, Fla.; daughter, April Thornton (Kye Lackey) of Wabasha; five grandchildren, Alex Kittelson, Olivia Thornton, Gaven Zomok and Jaxon and Lilah Lackey; two great-grandchildren, Kennedy Moyer and Isabella Kittelson; mother, Mildred Getschmann, of Wabasha; brothers, James (Frances) Thornton, Mountain Home, Ind. and Jack (Pat) Thornton of Columbia Heights, Minn.; sisters, Dori Bales (Rodney Laskewitz) of Wabasha and Sue (Joel) Ernst of Alma, Wis.; and nieces, nephews and cousins.  He was preceded in death by daughter, Rachel Thornton, father, Richard Thornton, step-father, Otto Getschmann and sister, Mary Jensen.
    A memorial mass will be offered on Tuesday, April 24, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Felix Catholic Church in Wabasha with the Rev. Fr. Gregory Parrott officiating.  Interment will be at St. Patrick’s Cemetery at West Albany.  Family and friends may call at Abbott Funeral Home in Wabasha on Monday, April 23, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and at the church on Tuesday one hour before the mass.  
    The Abbott Funeral Home of Wabasha is in charge of arrangements www.abbottfh.com.