Gail D. Thoreson

Gail D. Thoreson May 29, 1936 - January 9, 2016 Gail Thoreson 79, Lake Geneva died peacefully on Saturday January 9, 2016 at Aurora Lakeland Medical Center in Elkhorn, WI. She was born May 29th, 1936 in Lake Geneva, the daughter of Milton & Dorothy LaBarre Read. She grew up in Lake Geneva and graduated from Lake Geneva High School in 1954. She was an early independent young woman working at the Wisconsin Bell Telephone Company in town as a switchboard operator for over 8 years. She was married to Brad Thoreson on January 28, 1961 in Delavan, WI. The day after they were married, they drove to Milan TN to begin their lives. They raised two daughters, Vicki and Becky. They were very involved in their church, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Milan. Gail managed the nursery and pre-school as well as was a Sunday school teacher. In 1972, Trostel's closed the factory in Milan where her husband Brad managed and the family moved to Lake Geneva. Gail worked at the Hallmark store in downtown Lake Geneva, She was known by everyone in town as the "Hallmark Lady" and was warm and welcoming to anyone that came into the store. She worked there over 30+ years and loved seeing people in the community and connecting with them. She was an Avid Bears fan, wonderful friend, Mom and Grandmother. Brad preceded her in death on March 19th, 2011. Gail is survived by her two daughters, Vicki (Sam) Carrion of Grass Valley, CA and Becky Thoreson of Melbourne, FL, as well as one grandson Bradley Carrion. She is also survived by her mom, Jean Hoagland, Clearwater, FL, sister Patti (Brian) Ozment, Clearwater, FL and a brother Tom (Melissa) Read of Naples, FL, grand-dogs Cocoa and Buddy as well as many loving cousins and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Brad Thoreson and a brother Robert Read. A private family gathering was held at 3:00 P.M. Thursday January 14th, 2016 at the Steinke Funeral Home with Pastor Brian Metke of the Trinity Lutheran Church Pell Lake, WI officiating. Inurnment will take place at the Oak Hill Cemetery, Lake Geneva at a later date. For online obituary & guest registry go to www.steinkefuneralhomeinc.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice at https://give.aurora.org/donation-pages/donation-page-avna or a humane society of their choice.