Marilyn Elaine (Thrall) Kavadas
Marilyn Elaine (Thrall) Kavadas, age 84, passed away, peacefully in her sleep on October 19, 2018, in Porterville, California. Marilyn was born on September 8, 1934, in Grand Forks, North Dakota, to parents Arnold and Minnie Thrall. Their family moved to Placerville, CA for a few years during the WWII, then returned to Grand Forks. She graduated from Central High School in 1952. She ventured to Long Beach, CA for a short while then returned to Grand Forks. She married Ron Kavadas in 1955 and they had their first daughter, Kathy, a year later. They moved to Little Falls, MN, in 1957 and had 2 more children, Julie and Tom. In 1965, she and Ron moved their family to California, first to Tulare for 3 years, then on to Porterville in 1968. She has lived in Porterville for 50 years. Marilyn was a wonderful mother and loving wife. She was very social, loved her many friends and activities and spent her life taking care of her family and everyone around her. Making things beautiful was her specialty. She learned on her own and became a outstanding cook, tackling many special items including a very extensive list of Greek foods and meals that became traditions for her family and friends. She loved to sew, making many wonderful items for her family, their activities and their home. She wanted everyone to be comfortable and happy and did all she could to make that happen. She enjoyed traveling with her family to Greece, England, Scotland, Ireland, and many locations throughout the United States visiting family or working at Junior Olympic Track Meets. She worked at Emmy’s local dress shop, Production Credit Union and Porterville High School Career Center and front office continuing to help and assist everyone around her. Marilyn is survived by her husband, Ronald G. Kavadas; daughter, Kathy Wolf (Chuck) of Porterville, CA; daughter, Julie Anderson of Huntington Beach, CA; and son, Thomas Kavadas, of Visalia, CA; brother Dwight “Pete” Thrall of Fargo, ND; brother Robert “Buck” Thrall (Phyllis “Elaine”) of Huntington Beach, CA; grandchildren Shannon Shuklian (Brock), Nicholas Kavadas, Kyra, Alec and Rebecca Anderson, and great-grand daughter, Charlotte Shuklian. She is preceded in death by her brother Glenn Thrall, of Grand Forks, ND, her son-in-law, Gordon “Andy” Anderson of Huntington Beach, CA, her brothersin-law, Donald Kavadas of Porterville and Gabriel Kavadas, Jr. of Grand Forks, her sisters-in-law, Marilyn “Dolly” Thrall of Fargo, ND, Pat Kavadas of Porterville, CA, Arla Thrall of Grand Forks, ND, and Phyllis Thrall of Fargo, ND. A graveside service will be held at 9:00 am on Friday, October 26, 2018 at Hillcrest in Porterville Cemetery. Pastor Mark Pitcher will officiate.
To sign Marilyn’s online register book or leave a message of condolence please visit
www.portervillefuneral.com. For additional information contact Porterville Funeral &Cremation Center.