Beth Ann (Thorson) Flannery

Beth Ann (Thorson) Flannery

Des Moines

Beth Ann (Thorson) Flannery passed away on June 5, 2023, at the age of 61, after a courageous battle with breast cancer. Born in Wells, Minn., on St. Patrick’s Day 1962, she was the beautiful blue-eyed daughter of Delores and Arden Thorson. She grew up on the family farm near Lake Mills, Iowa, participating in various activities, including 4H, where she enjoyed showing photography and art projects at the fair, winning numerous ribbons. With her mother’s encouragement, her love of sewing grew into a lifelong passion.

While attending Iowa State University, she met her future husband, Don. She graduated in 1985 with a degree in fashion merchandising. On May 30, 1986, Beth married the love of her life. Nothing was more important to her than family and raising their three children. She led by example, instilling in her children the importance of supporting others and being present for the ones you love. Most enjoyable was spending time with her grandchildren doing arts and crafts and countless FaceTime chats.

Beth always made time for gardening, spending many hours in her various flower gardens tending her hundreds of annuals, perennials, daffodils, and roses. She was an excellent seamstress. Along with her mother, she made her beautiful wedding gown and enjoyed sewing items and quilts for her children and others. For several years, she owned a business making custom window treatments for interior decorators.

For over 20 years, she dedicated much of her time to the youth programming at Grace Lutheran as a volunteer and youth director. Whether it was Wednesday night programs, vacation bible school or countless other youth activities, she was always involved. Beth was filled with so much joy sharing and teaching God’s love to all the children at Grace. In 2004 and 2007, she was part of the Grace delegation to Msindo, Tanzania. She helped lead a three-day bible school for over 300 children in the village. The relationships she built always remained in her heart.

Beth brought joy to everything she did with the biggest smile and laugh. She worked so hard to always put others first. She led with kindness and believed in the commitment to show people you love how important they are. She truly was our ray of sunshine.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents and brothers-in-law, William and Kenneth Flannery.

She is survived by her husband of 37 years, Don; their three children, Patricia (Geoffrey) Gallop, Jessica Flannery and Michael (Katharine) Flannery; grandchildren Eva, Adler and Hazel; parents, Delores and Arden Thorson; brother, Allen; nieces, Kathryn and Elizabeth Flannery; and sister-in-law, Susan Manning.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 11, at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines. Celebration of Life will follow at 11 a.m. Monday, June 12, at Grace Lutheran Church, 5201 Urbandale Ave., Des Moines.

Memorial donations can be directed to Grace Lutheran Church in Des Moines. Online condolences may be expressed at www.hamiltonsfuneralhome.com.