Verene Thorne

Verene Ashby Thorne, age 84, passed away peacefully at home on June 15, 2026, of natural causes.

She was born in Fillmore, Utah, on December 26, 1941, to Richard Eugene Ashby and Sarah Verle Kessler. She was the youngest of three children and the only daughter. She grew up in Fillmore and graduated from Utah State University on a full-ride teaching scholarship with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education.

On June 6, 1963, she married Richard Errol (Bucky) Thorne in the Logan Utah Temple. They were later divorced.

As a military wife, Verene lived in Alaska and California before returning to Utah. She spent the majority of her career teaching first grade at Valley View Elementary School in Pleasant Grove, Utah. To support her family, she also ran a highly successful Avon business for many years. Following her retirement and a successful battle with breast cancer, Verene remained active in community service, volunteering for American Fork Hospital, the Red Cross, and the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers (DUP).

Verene was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Dell and Rudger Ashby; her ex-husband, Richard Errol Thorne; and her infant son, Trever James Thorne.

She is survived by her four children: Eleanor Tanene Thorne, Kraig Ashby Thorne, Ryan Daryl Thorne (Donna Fugal), and Kenlan Richard Thorne (Kacey Bliss Bowles). She is also survived by her grandchildren.

An evening viewing will be held Monday, June 22, 2026 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm in the Olpin Family Mortuary Chapel, 494 South 300 East, Pleasant Grove, Utah.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at 11:00 am in the Pleasant Grove East Stake Chapel, 825 Loader Dr., Pleasant Grove, Utah. Family and friends may attend a viewing from 10:00 - 10:45 am prior to the funeral service. Interment will be in the Pleasant Grove City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.olpinmortuary.com.