Detta Thurber passed away on March 7, 2026, at her home with her son by her side. She was 93 years old and had been looking forward to celebrating her 94th birthday. She was cared for by several devoted caregivers who loved her dearly and celebrated with her each year on her birthday. They would have a spectacular birthday party with balloons, homemade cake and cookies. Sadly she contracted Influenza A and passed away.

Detta was a woman of deep and abiding faith, a legacy she passed on to Tom and Kathran. She was part of Helen Young’s Associated Women for Pepperdine. The AWP was established to help students receive a Christian education. Detta was active and very successful in fundraising for the organization.

Detta was preceded in death by her first husband, Gerald Sutton, and her second husband, James Thurber. She was also preceded in death by her mother, Emma Dunbar; her father, Earl Morris; and her stepfather, Merle Dunbar. Detta had five siblings who also preceded her in death: Ruth Morris, Cody Morris, Burl Morris, Bobby Morris, and Dotty Premer.

Detta was born in Benkelman, Nebraska. She attended school there. Her parents were farmers who also raised chickens. They owned the town’s roller rink, where they hosted many community events. At the time, her father was one of only a few in the area who owned and flew a crop-dusting plane.

Detta attended Harding University. She met her first husband, Gerald Sutton, at a social event in Stratton, Nebraska only a few miles from Benkelman. After their marriage, Gerald attended the University of Colorado School of Pharmacy. Upon his graduation, they moved to Santa Cruz, California, where he worked as a pharmacist and together they raised their two children, Kathran Martin and Thomas Sutton.

Not long after the birth of their children, Gerald was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Detta lovingly cared for him until his passing on May 15, 1969. Before his death, every year they would drive from Santa Cruz California to Stratton Nebraska and stay for a month with Gerald’s folks, Mabel and Lyle Sutton. Kathran and Tom would attend school in Stratton during their stays.

After Gerald’s death Detta attended Cabrillo College. She later met Jim Thurber, and they moved to Lakeside, Oregon, where Jim served as Postmaster. Detta opened a shop selling antiques, collectibles, clothing, and furniture. They later relocated to Reedsport, Oregon, where they retired together.

A YouTube video can be viewed of Detta’s last trip to Stratton with her son and his wife in July of 1987. It shows the farm she grew up on and the roller rink in Benkelman. It includes the farm Gerald Sutton grew up on in Stratton. It was taken during harvest time and shows the harvest taking place. The YouTube Channel name is “Tom Sutton and Libby Sutton.” Click on the tab with videos and find Nebraska Trip July 1987.

Link: https://youtu.be/qSREZHgORV0?si=tmzrEyIOYeDH6Jpg