Beth Lorraine Thornburg

Beth Lorraine (Nice) Thornburg died on December 24, 2025 in Grand Junction, CO after a short illness. Beth was born on May 18, 1945 to Warren Merle Nice and Mary Myrle (Howe) Nice at the Morrison City Hospital in Morrison, IL. Beth was the third of five children, and being the middle child, she wanted to be her own person. Beth grew up on a farm and attended a one room school in Union Grove, IL. Beth was a tomboy and preferred working outdoors and with her father in the fields. When it came time to go to college, Beth decided to go on an adventure and left for Laramie, WY, to attend the University of Wyoming. Beth made friends while attending college, and it was one of her friends that introduced Beth to the love of her life, Preston Thornburg. Beth and Preston were married on August 28, 1964. They had three children together. Beth and Preston moved to Clifton, CO in 1998 and were happily preparing for retirement when Preston passed away in 2011.

Beth was an avid reader, and shared her love of books with her own children. She was very creative and could tailor as well make her own sewing patterns. Beth taught sewing to 4-H members for many years. She enjoyed crocheting and quilting and made many items for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Beth could mend and fix all kinds of things, and was very proficient at desktop publishing and using Adobe Photoshop to create many things professionally and personally.

Beth was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Nancy Stone and Marilyn Dolieslager, one daughter in law, Gia Thornburg and her husband, Preston. Beth is survived by her brother, Merle (Nancy) Nice and sister, Melissa (Eric) Arey, her three children: Tammy (Joe) York of Oxford, NE, Stacy (JD) Hill of Collbran, CO, and Damon Thornburg of Almaty, Kazakhstan, her eleven grandchildren: Gary Carter, Emily Hill, Clifford (Brandon) Hill, Bessie Hill, Genevieve Hill, Kellen (Franklin) York, Anamarie (Cory) Schluntz, Griffin (Kelsey) York, Ian York, Lucille Thornburg, and Harlan Thornburg, her seven great grandchildren: Bentley Carter, Frances Carter, Gus Carter, Mason Schluntz, Max Schluntz, Andi May Schluntz, and Georgina York. Beth is also survived by her special four legged companions, Jake and Harley.

Beth’s family asks that in lieu of flowers, monetary gifts be made in Beth’s name to the Clifton, CO Branch Library or Hope West Hospice of Grand Junction, CO. A family service will be determined at a later date.