Berncie Thornton Obituary Thornton, Bernice K. 93 years old, passed away peacefully in Napa, California on September 22, 2010. Bernice Emily Klobe was born to Herman and Alice Klobe on February 1, 1917 in Young America, Minnesota where she graduated from Norwood Central High School. She graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1939 with a degree in Education and returned there to earn a Masters in Library Science. During World War II she studied meteorology and served in the Civil Aeronautics Authority in air-traffic control in Chicago, in Lone Rock, Wisconsin, and in Alexandria, Minnesota. In Wisconsin, while alone on duty, she picked up the voice of a pilot lost in a nighttime blizzard and directed him to a safe landing in Chicago. As a rookie controller, she took great pride in that feat. During the war, she met Ralph S. Thornton, Jr., a pilot in the Navy. They were married on March 22, 1945 and began a wonderful life together. Bernice and Ralph enjoyed entertaining family and friends, playing tennis and golf, skiing and traveling. Their piano playing, both as individuals and in duets, was well known, and their costume trunk was second to none. Ralph's work as a journalist took them on many adventures including several Winter Olympics around the world. Bernice enjoyed a successful career as an art teacher and librarian for the Wayzata Public School System where she worked for many years. All who knew Bernice know how much she enjoyed life; she had a passion for the arts and collecting books. Her love for the arts led her to volunteer for the Walker Art Center, The Minneapolis Symphony and The Minneapolis Institute of Arts. She took a keen interest in politics and was always up for a spirited discussion. Her community volunteer work included serving in the League of Women Voters and at the Wayzata Branch of the Hennepin County Library. She will be remembered for her infectious laughter, her boundless energy, her love of fun and good times as well as her deep devotion to her family. She was a "second mother" to many of her children's friends. She will be greatly missed. Bernice was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Thornton, her sister, Marguerite Paplow of Ojai, California and her brother, Arthur Klobe of Minnetonka, Minnesota and Naples, Florida. She is survived by her sister, Magdalene Espy of Pewaukee, Wisconsin and her children, Susan Thornton Rogers (Richard) of Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, Thomas W. Thornton (Brenda J. Mixson) of St. Helena, California and Greenwich, CT and her two granddaughters, Caroline Rogers and Meredith Rogers, both of New York City. A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, September 29, at 2:00 PM at The Lakewood Memorial Chapel at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis. A reception will follow at Minekahda Club from 3:30 to 5:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to the Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota in Bernice's name. For inquiries contact patrons@walkerart.org.