Mary Louise Bunny Thorstad

Recent Yucaipa resident, Mary Louise (Bunny) Thorstad, died peacefully July 9, 2014 at Redlands Community Hospital. She is survived by her loving companion of 20 years, Donald McLaren of Bracketville Texas, and her three children, Carl Thorstad (Hawaii), Kurt Thorstad (Hawaii) and Kirsten Thorstad (Yucaipa, CA). Bunny was the proud grandmother of 5 grandsons, 3 granddaughters, and 12 great-grandchildren. Bunny was born April 17, 1927 in Duluth, Minnesota to Eugene and Mary Johnson and was welcomed into the household by her big sister Jeanne (Phyllis). She grew up in Iowa and Minnesota enjoying school and the outdoors. Bunny married Carl K. Thorstad on June 12, 1948 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They eventually moved to Southern California with their three children seeking a warmer climate. Her husband of 45 years, Carl (Cully) died in Hemet in 1993. Bunny enjoyed the beach, gardening, reading, traveling, golf, and cooking. After traveling extensively in their motor home throughout the western United States, Bunny and Don settled in Texas for the past 17 years. Due to complications from health issues, Bunny was brought home to Yucaipa in May of this year and resided at Hampton Manor in order to be close to her daughter, Kirsten. Bunny volunteered for many organizations throughout her life including the Civil Air Patrol during World War II, and the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. Bunny worked primarily as a secretary during her life, retiring from this career after working as a secretary for the Catholic Church and Allstate Insurance. She was a woman of great faith and love. Bunny was a devoted wife, companion, mother, sister, daughter, and friend. She also dearly loved her dog, Muffin . The funeral service will take place on Thursday, July 24th 11AM - at Emmerson-Bartlett Mortuary in Yucaipa for family and friends of the deceased. Fr. Bob Miller and Rev. Don Hinkle will preside. Bunny will be buried in a private Catholic service with Deacon Pete Bond at Riverside National Cemetery at 1:15PM on the same day. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Frances X. Cabrini Catholic Church.