Larry E. Thornton, age 91, passed away at home on November 2, 2026, surrounded by family. He was born on August 31, 1935, in Monroe, Wisconsin, the only child of Enoch (Reg) and Marie (Heyn) Thornton. Larry was a 1953 graduate of Monroe High School. Shortly after graduation, he moved to Waunakee. It was there where he met the love of his life, Kathleen Kopp. He and Kathy married in 1958 and raised their five children in Waunakee. Having been raised as an only child, Larry enjoyed having a large family.

Larry was an avid lifelong golfer—he enjoyed golfing well into his 80s (getting a hole-in-one when he was 81 years old, his first career ace!). In addition to golfing throughout Wisconsin with friends and family, Larry loved his annual golfing trips with friends to Gulf Shores. Larry was also a Packers fan (and shareholder), and he went to the Ice Bowl with his brother-in-law Don. For many years, he and Kathy enjoyed going to their place in the Post Lake, Wis. area. He enjoyed fishing up north and fishing trips to Canada with friends.

From 1957 to 1962, Larry served in the U.S. Army. Larry worked as a semitruck driver for decades, including driving for Kroger and Central Soya Master Mix Feeds. Larry was always very proud of his safe driving record.

Larry will be dearly missed by his wife, Kathy; daughters Lynn (Reg) Acker, Margie (Kevin) Perry, Lori (Jim Malone) Thornton, Amy (Patrick Walsh) Thornton; grandchildren, Tyler (Angie) Acker, Danielle (Josh) McWilliams, Brandon (Valerie) Acker, Nathan (Nicole) Perry, Michael Perry, Allyson (Ilya Moskalenko) Malone, and Sarah Malone; and great-grandchildren Brayden, Carter, Rilynn, Haizley, Emmitt, Ruxin, Wyatt, and Kennedy. Larry is further survived by his sisters-in-law Doris Dahmen and Shirley Kopp. He was preceded in death by his parents and his son Mark.

Visitation and funeral services will be held at St. John’s Catholic Church, 209 South Street, Waunakee, on Saturday, November 7, 2026 at 1:00p.m. Visitation will be held from 11-1 p.m. with the funeral service following. A burial will take place in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Agrace Hospice, 5395 East Cheryl Parkway, Madison, 53711.

Winn-Cress Funeral Service

2929 Peaceful Valley Pkwy,

Waunakee, WI