Etelka Marta Thorsby

Etelka M. Thorsby of Saginaw Township, Michigan

Beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend passed away peacefully at her home with her sons by her side on Friday, April 22, 2022. She was 92 years old. Etelka M. Koos was born on June 22, 1929, in Budapest, Hungary, to the late Sandor and Erzsebet (Kis) Koos. She grew up in Hungary during the German occupation witnessing the many atrocities World War II brought to her homeland. Her love story began when she met the love of her life, Claude Allen Thorsby, a sergeant serving in the United States Army stationed in Budapest. They dated, fell in love, and were united in marriage on October 29, 1947; he preceded her in death on July 27, 2009. Following her marriage, Etelka immigrated to America at the tail end of 1947, making Saginaw, Michigan, her new home. It was here she took on the role of her lifetime, to become both a loving wife and mother. She enjoyed collecting and selling antiques and for many years occupied a booth at the Antique Wearhouse when it was on Michigan Ave. Anyone that knew Etelka knew she was an avid and loyal fan of the Detroit Tigers. Etelka loved and cherished her family and treasured the many times she could go antiquing and traveling to Mackinac Island. She left her indelible mark on this world through her grace and elegance, her impeccable style and fashion sense, and for truly living an amazing and beautiful life filled with stories of triumph and tragedy.

Surviving are two sons and their spouses: Allen (Gloria) Thorsby of Colorado Spring, CO; Michael (Jackie) Thorsby of Holland; three grandsons and their spouses: Richard (Jamie) Thorsby of Detroit; Andrew (Kelly) Thorsby of Allendale; Matthew (Kelsey) Thorsby of Grand Rapids; one great-grandson, Sawyer Thorsby; cousin, Doris Beattie of Royal Oak; three nephews, David (Linda) Mitchell of Thomas Township; Darrel Mitchell of Freeland; Bill Thomas of Thomas Township; dear friends: Eva (Mike) Simon of Saginaw Township; Jan Thaut of Bay City; Emery (Laurie) Wilson of Hemlock; Melvin, Madeline, Brandy and Bob, Mary and Tom, Marty, Lori, and Jill, and Carey; and many beloved neighbors at the Gratiot West Condominiums.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Etelka’s caregivers: Nicole, Keith, Rustie, Brittany, Breia, Breanna, Alicia, Linda, Tisha, and April for all the love and care they provided to her and the family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Claude Allen Thorsby; sister, Magdolna (Arpad) Berczik; and niece, Marilyn Meyer.

Honoring Etelka’s wishes cremation has taken place. A memorial service will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 4, 2022, at the W. L. Case & Company Funeral Chapel, 201 N. Miller Road. Rev. Fr. Paul McCarthy will officiate. Friends are welcome to visit with the family at the funeral chapel on Saturday from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the Saginaw Humane Society. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the funeral home or through www.casefuneralhome.com.