Alice Thorsen

Alice Thorsen, 85, of Great Falls passed away, Saturday, June 13, 2015 of natural causes. A vigil service for Alice will be held Friday, June 19, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. A funeral liturgy will be held Saturday, June 20, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with burial to follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Alice was born May 27, 1930 in Wolf Point, Montana to Adolf and Martha Hibl. Alice attended Poplar High School and then went on to business school in Billings, Montana. In 1951, she married the love of her life, Pat Thorsen. As a young couple they traveled the United States during Pats time in the Marine Corps. They had three children; Michael, Kathy, and Marcia. In 1966, Pat took a position as a pilot with Air America. For the next seven years the family traveled back and forth to Southeast Asia. In 1973, Pat was killed during a flight over Laos. Alice returned to Great Falls and raised her family. She began working as the office manager for the Montana State Fair in 1976, and then retired in 1986. She was an active member of the Catholic Church, serving as president of the Parish Council of Catholic Women. She was also a member of St. Judes Circle and The Catholic Womens League. Alice enjoyed flower gardening, garage sales with her friends, and playing duplicate bridge in Great Falls. She loved her family and holiday gatherings which often included a spirited poker game with her grandchildren. She is survived by her son Michael Thorsen of Madera, CA; daughters Kathy Buckles of Great Falls and Marcia Shanahan of Vaughn; brothers Richard Hibl of Nashua, MT and Ed Hibl of Sparks, NV; grandchildren Jennifer Stroop, Becky Allen, Pat Thorsen, Doug Thorsen, Brent Thorsen and Kevin Thorsen; great-grandchildren Bailey Stroop, Sheridan Stroop, Kenzie Allen and Luke Thorsen. Alice was preceded in death by her parents; husband Pat Thorsen, sisters; Mary Lowe and Dorothy Gross, and brother Robert Hibl. Alice was the matriarch of her family and the epitome of class and strength. She will be missed greatly by her family and friends.