Jean Ann (Calvert) Thalke

SCOTTSDALE – Jean Ann Thalke, long time resident of Scottsdale, passed away on March 13, 2023, four months shy of her 99th birthday. She was born July 25, 1924, to parents Cecil and Norma Calvert in Indianapolis, Indiana. Jean Ann graduated from South Bend Central High School in 1942. In 1944 she married Gilbert Thalke. They were married for 72 years before Gilbert’s passing in 2016.

There was never a question as their love for each other and for family. Jean Ann’s wish was to move from the snow in South Bend to sunny Scottsdale, Arizona. After a “trial run” in 1959, the Thalke family made Scottsdale their permanent home in 1962. Jean Ann was an amazing woman and the ever-positive person in her children’s lives. Jean Ann had admirable home management skills.

She taught her kids how to make the perfect bed with hospital corners, how to iron pillowcases, handkerchiefs, and shirts. Jean Ann taught her kids to appreciate the love of music and classic mov- ies…Shirley Temple movies on Saturday mornings. Having grown up in South Bend, home of Hoosier basketball and Notre Dame football, as well as ASU football, it was rare that Jean Ann missed a college game, whether attending or watching on TV. She was a talented administrative assistant. Those who worked with her at the Scottsdale Los Arcos Mall Sears store or at Motorola, knew her keen sense of humor and the joy she got from seeing people laugh.

She always had a joke to tell or a song to sing. After she and Gilbert retired, they enjoyed their time together traveling throughout the United States and Europe, especially Germany. Jean was fiercely loyal to her family, friends, and her faith. Jean Ann and Gilbert demonstrated unconditional love and support for their children and one another, both hallmarks of the Thalke family.

Jean Ann was preceded in death by her husband Gilbert and survived by her children: daughters Connie Lindstrom (David), Marilou Estes (James) and son Donald Thalke (Kathryn); her four grandchildren and two great-grandchil- dren.

Interment services were arranged by Green Acres Mortuary and Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Hospice of the Valley (HOV.org) in memory of Jean Ann. Jean Ann Thalke

Sources: Ancestry.com and Newspapers.com

10/21/2024 EJS