Margaret Janet (Gilchrist) Thurlow, 96, passed away on February 24, 2018 at the Dawson Place Nursing Home in Hill City, Kansas. She was born September 10, 1921 in Hoxie, Kansas to David and Blanche (Menefee) Gilchrist. She grew up with her older siblings: Lucille, Kenny and Velda.
On June 4, 1941 Margaret married Ray Thurlow in Oberlin, Kansas. Ray passed away December 4, 1993. Five children were born to this union; Larry, Janet, Linda, Terry and Roger. Margaret attended grade school in Menlo, Kansas and graduated from Menlo High School in 1939. She continued her education at Fort Hays State College studying home economics until she married Ray.
Margaret was a devoted wife, a cherished mother and loving grandmother. She was an excellent homemaker, exceptional cook and accomplished seamstress. Her joy was making her home welcoming and peaceful. She was a caring friend always finding time to help others.
While living in Prairie View, Kansas, Margaret was employed as a school cook. After moving to Hill City she worked as a bookkeeper for Shields Grocery, McCauley Drug, which became Wise Drug, doing a variety of jobs, and later helping at Hixon Jewelry. Margaret spent 52 years lovingly raising her family and caring for Ray until his death. After Ray passed away, Margaret found much joy in traveling and spending time with her friends that were so dear to her. Until she was unable to drive, one of her favorite pastimes was to take a carload of women to Hays for water aerobics.
Those who knew Margaret will remember her as a gracious, beautiful, stylish, caring and helpful woman who unselfishly gave of herself not only to family and friends, but also to anyone she met. She was a true believer of our Lord Jesus Christ with a servant’s heart.
Margaret was active in the Hill City Presbyterian Church, Graham County Hospital Auxiliary, Eastern Star, and Helianthi Club. She also enjoyed water aerobics at Fort Hays State University and volunteering her time to the needs of the community.
Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, Dave and Blanche; her husband, Ray; and a son, Roger; a brother, Kenny Gilchrist; and sisters Lucille Boggs and Velda Gilchrist.
Left to mourn her passing are: son Larry and wife Patty Thurlow of Bogue, granddaughter Jennifer and husband Jesse Schmidtberger and great granddaughters Josie and Julia Schmidtberger, grandson Lance Thurlow and fiancé Cindy Gode, grandson Roger and wife Amy Thurlow, great grandchildren Lily and Asher Thurlow; daughter Janet and husband Lee Wade of Medicine Lodge, Kansas, granddaugher Kam and husband David Cranor, grandchildren: Jedidiah, Rebekah, Keagan, and Kirsten Cranor; daughter Linda and husband Dale Fullen, grandchildren Doug Fullen and friend Greg Nockleby, Kari and husband Joe Hatton, great grandchildren Emma and Joey Hatton; and son Terry Thurlow of Russell, granddaughter Wendy Walker, great grandson Jason and wife Kiley Walker, great-great grandchildren Trey and Bree Walker, great grandson Jayden Walker, granddaughter Ciara Thurlow, great grandchildren Nevaeh Smith, Braylon Bryant, Ahalya Singh, and Mathai Thurlow.
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