Sarah Elizabeth Thorson

Sarah E. Thorson, age 73, of Manhattan, KS, passed away on August 12, 2026, at Westview Manor of Derby (KS). She was under the comforting care of hospice and Westview’s kind nursing staff, and family was present to comfort her in her passing.

Sarah was born on September 23, 1952, in Manhattan, KS to Barbara L. Thorson (Anderson) and Ingolf E. Thorson (Stubby). She grew up with a love of Girl Scouts, babysitting, Otter Tail Lake, pets, and spending time with her extended family. Graduating from Manhattan High School in 1970, she went on to become a Registered Nurse after attending Kansas State University and Wesley Medical School of Nursing (1974). She was very honored to follow in her mother and grandmother’s footsteps.

Sarah enjoyed many positions throughout her successful nursing career, including Outpatient, Emergency Room, Surgery & Recovery and School nursing - all while simultaneously doing bookkeeping for a pharmacy she and her then husband owned for eleven of those years. School Nursing and Parents as Teachers were her true passion and the kids and community returned the love. She went on a surgical mission trip to Guatemala that was a precious life experience for her. Sarah had a compassionate, kind soul that she shared with many people throughout her life.

She married former spouse Michael Preston in 1973, and they had three little girls: Kristina (Brian Clevenger; Wichita, KS), Catherine (Cathey; Derby, KS), and Amy (Sean Hogan; Kansas City area). She also leaves behind her grandchildren: Jonah, Jacob & Jasper (Kristina), Logan & Carleigh (Catherine), Preston, Winnie, Phoebe & Bear (Amy). Even while working two jobs and keeping the house [almost too] spotless, Sarah made sure her girls made it to their many activities, were all using proper grammar, had love-filled holidays, knew of her strong, generous faith, and made it to their favorite trip to Otter Tail Lake, MN, where she too, had so many fond childhood memories. And anywhere her parents were, she was grateful to be near. Sarah is also survived by her siblings, nieces and nephews, cousins, and their children.

Sarah’s inner beauty matched her natural Scandinavian beauty- others couldn’t help but notice her radiant, welcoming smile that lit up a room. Sarah was also musically inclined; she played both the piano and had a beautiful singing voice. Sarah would be the first to admit she couldn’t hit a softball to save her life, but in true Nordic fashion, she would effortlessly glide down a ski hill. She was always a talented student and writer-which came in handy helping her daughters in school and college. Sarah never saw a baby she didn’t want to snuggle- something her daughters share with her to this day. Or a dog she didn’t love and would have 1-5 at any given time. She always had a diet soda nearby, was likely craving vanilla ice cream and apple pie, and picking out another book series to read. Sarah was so proud of her parents and loved passing down their family’s history. Her Norwegian pride and roots were lovingly reflected in her charming Scandinavian décor. Sarah had a great sense of humor and loved to be silly with her kids & grandkids. She spent her time helping care for them and passing along songs from Girl Scouts and reading books to them. Sarah leaves behind a legacy of love and affection that we will do our best to carry on. After getting through some of life’s harder times all the while continuing to love her family, she is at peace now & enjoying being with her parents again. She will be greatly missed and always loved.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to her dad’s scholarship the “I.E. Thorson Scholarship” (Designation) through the KSU Foundation: https://giving.ksufoundation.org/ or the animal rescue organization where she adopted her amazing dog, Bea that is still with us today: https://arrcolorado.org/donate/.

A celebration of Sarah’s life will be held in Wichita, KS at a later date. Details will be announced by the family.