Obituary of Mary Thal

Mary Ann Thal, 92passed away peacefully in her sleep September 8, 2019 in her home in Lakewood Colorado. She was born the fourth of five daughters to Erick and Anna (Steen) Keck In Doyon North Dakota May 16, 1927. She grew up in Doyon and graduated from Doyon High School where she was one of nine students in her graduating class. Her father was the Depot Manager there, which led to her love of trains and travel. That summer she went to Hastings Nebraska with sisters and friends to work in a defense plant making Navy rockets. In August when Japan signed the WWII Peace Treaty, all US military factories were immediately closed. She retuned to North Dakota to attend the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks where she studied to graduate with a B.A. in Journalism and Sociology was a cheerleader and met her future husband. She worked as a High School Principal her first year out of college in Inkster ND. Later that year she married George M. Thal. Next, she worked as an Assistant Editor of a monthly magazine in Minnesota. That job ended when husband George took a job with a major Airlines in Denver. They were blessed with three sons born to them in Denver. Mary Ann was a PTA president and Den Mother for her son’s Scout troops. 10 years later they transferred to Chicago, where their daughter was born. A move back to Colorado led to a new career for Mary Ann, managing women’s retail stores and eventually owning a small boutique called ‘Mary Ann’s Glad Rags’ in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Later, another career change, after taking classes in Early Childhood Education, she taught for Jefferson County Public Pre-School which she found very enjoyable. Mary Ann loved to bake cakes, cookies and pies. She made the most delicious pies. All of her grandchildren loved to go to Gramma’s house to bake with her. Mary Ann was also an avid sports fan. Although she enjoyed watching all sorts of Denver teams, the Rockies and the Avalanche were her favorites. Mary Ann was preceded in death by her husband George, son Jeffrey, sisters Colleen Polka and Lorayne Lillehaugen. She is survived by sons Kevin Thal , Lakewood,CO; Jim Thal (Sandy), Lafayette, CO; daughter Heidi (Paul) Tauriello, Centennial, CO. She is also survived by sisters; Mildred Olson, Evergreen, CO and Betty June Karaim, Mayville, ND and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Mary Ann’s joyful spirit, boisterous laugh and sense of humor will be greatly missed by all. Donations in her memory may be made to the Lutheran Church of the Master, Lakewood, Colorado.