Nola Jean Herman Thornton

Nola Jean Herman Thornton was born on October 23, 1937, in Britton, South Dakota and lived in rural Havana, North Dakota. She Passed away at 11:11am on April 15, 2025, at Ochsner Lafayette Medical Center.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Nola Thornton will be held on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at 2:00 pm. at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Opelousas, Louisiana. Reverend Jude Thierry will celebrate the Mass. Rite of Committal and burial will be held at a later date.

The Pallbearers will Be Lannie Kieth, Byron Knott, Zack Blanchard, Evan Thornton, Matt Pitre.

Visitation will begin on Thursday, April 24, 2025, in the Skip Montet Memorial Chapel at Lafond-Ardoin Funeral Home of Opelousas beginning at 10 am until 1:30 pm. A Rosary will be recited at 12:00 pm.

Nola graduated in 1955 from Rutland ND, after moving from Colorado midway through her senior year. She met her husband to be Bernard “John” Thornton while still in high school.

Nola and John fell in love and were married in 1957. They started their family while John worked for a regional grocery store setting up meat departments. They bought, set up and ran their own meat market in Milner ND until they had an opportunity to buy a farm in Minnesota where they started their quarter horse breeding business. This was a natural move for Nola as her father was a horseman and had taught her the love and appreciation for the quarter horse business.

After the death of their young son Miles they decided to move to Louisiana to be near their daughter Rinea and continue their horse breeding business. Nola was a top quarter horse owner and breeder, she was certified in Equine Reproductive management specializing in artificial insemination, as well as a very successful quarter horse race trainer. In 2015 Nola & John were honored by the American quarter horse association with the AQHA legacy Award for 50 years of registering at least 1 foul every year. Nola and John have enjoyed owning and producing many AQHA champions.

Nola loved hosting and meticulously decorating for holidays especially Christmas. While living in Minnesota she would insist on hosting both Christmas eve and day for both sides of the family. This created an enormous amount of activity, and memories for the whole family. She loved to decorate her tree with her family. Nola also loved Easter and took great care into making up Easter baskets and strategically hiding them. She delighted in seeing the little ones running around in PJ’s finding them.

Nola is survived by John her beloved husband of 69 years; her son, Jeffrey Thornton and wife Jana; her daughter, Rinea Blanchard; her brother, Neil Herman and wife Madeline; her sisters, Karel Titus and husband Gary, Kareen Koltes Christiansen and husband Guy. Nola took immense pride in her 4 grandchildren, Jorma Thornton, Tara Blanchard, Zack Blanchard, and Evan Thornton. Her heart grew even fuller with the addition of her 7 great-grandchildren. She was also survived by several nieces and nephews that she held in her heart with great affection.

Nola was preceded in death by her parents, Meredith and Nellie Herman: her sons, Steve and Miles Thornton: Son in-law Michael Blanchard and Brother In-law Roger Koltes.

Family and friends are invited to sign and view the online guestbook at www.lafondardoin.com.

Lafond-Ardoin Funeral Home of Opelousas,2845 South Union Street, Opelousas, La.70570, (337) 942-2638, has been entrusted with funeral arrangements.