Beth Noteman

Beth Anne Noteman, age 51, of Elburn, passed away at home, surrounded by the love and prayers of her family, on Monday evening, December 18, 2017. She was born on November 1, 1966, in Detroit, MI, the daughter of proud parents, Thomas and Judith (Olsson) Noteman. Beth graduated from North Farmington High School in Farmington Hills, MI. Beth was a majorette in the marching band, and participated in orchestra, debate club, and drama club. Beth continued her education at Arizona State University with a Bachelors in Marketing. Following graduation, Beth lived in several areas across the country before eventually calling northern Illinois home. Beth and Rick Thorgesen met in 2005 and were married on May 16, 2009 in Virgil IL. They celebrated, surrounded by family and friends, at the reception held at the Lamplight Equestrian Center. Beth often referred to it as the “best weekend of her life.” Though Beth worked for several companies during her career, it was the fourteen years that she spent at Lil’ Drug Store Products that meant the most to her. She eventually became the Senior Director of Category Management, and she loved working with her customers, as well as her dear friends, in the sales and category management departments. Beth had an extraordinary work ethic, “visiting three cities a week for fifty weeks out of the year,” while providing her customers the highest level of service. Upon her retirement, Beth was recognized by Lil’ Drug Store through a scholarship in her name at a community college in Cedar Rapids, IA for students who share Beth’s passion for horses. Beth’s heart beat for her husband, but her love for her horses was a close second. Beth asked for a horse for Christmas every year since age three, but it wasn’t until after college that she could finally call a horse her own. In 2000, Beth purchased the little known HSA Haley’s Comet, and she started her amateur horse showing career shortly thereafter. Beth drove Comet throughout the United States and Canada attending many regional and national Arabian horse shows. In 2005, Beth added Rick in the truck, and they started making memories with every mile. Their travels included many stops at places such as Scottsdale, AZ; the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY; Boise, ID; Lexington, VA; Raleigh, NC; Regina, SK and London, ON. Beth ultimately had four Arabians in her stable, and she ended her amateur showing career with 90 Regional Championships and 29 National Championships. Her faithful companion Comet owns 24 of those National wins. In 2010, Beth started spending winters with her horses at friends’ farms down south. The farms in Florida and Georgia became her home for four months out of the year while she continued to train and show her beloved Arabians. Beth lived to show her horses, and she was never happier than when showing with her many friends at the horse shows. When she wasn’t with her horses, Beth loved traveling with Rick. They traveled far and wide, and most recently enjoyed a trip to Paris, France with Beth’s father. Many memories were made with their annual treks to Cabo San Lucas for deep sea fishing and watching the whales and dolphins. Memorial Days were spent at Pickerel Lake, Wisconsin, where the whole Thorgesen clan came together for unforgettable weekends. When it came to music, no distance was too far to see Tim McGraw live in concert. Regardless of where you met Beth, she left an instant indelible impression. The spark in her eyes left no doubt that she was someone special and especially someone to be reckoned with. She was often heard saying, “I love my life so much, if I wasn’t me, I’d want to be me.” This perfectly encapsulated how thankful she was for the blessings in her life. Her laugh was infectious, and her energy was guaranteed to make her the life of the party as soon as she walked into a room. Her loyalty was undeniable and her determination unshakeable. Her loss is immense, but the memories made by and with her are even greater, and will never be forgotten.She is survived by her loving husband, Rick Thorgesen; two siblings: Thomas Jr. (Lisa) Noteman and Jennifer (Michael) Murzyn; her father, Thomas Noteman; an uncle, James (Mary Kay) Noteman; and an aunt, Patricia Caruana.She is preceded in death by her mother, Judith Noteman; and her paternal grandmother, Elizabeth “Betty” Noteman. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m., at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119, on Thursday, December 28, 2017. A funeral to celebrate her life will also be held at the funeral home, Friday, December 29, 2017, with a time of visitation from 10-11 a.m. followed by service to begin at 11 a.m. Private family interment will follow cremation at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Beth’s name to contribute to the Lil Drug Store Products Scholarship in Honor of Beth Noteman at the Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, IA. Checks may be made to the “Beth Noteman Memorial” and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.

A funeral to celebrate her life will also be held at the funeral home, Friday, December 29, 2017, with a time of visitation from 10-11 a.m. followed by service to begin at 11 a.m.

Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m., at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119, on Thursday, December 28, 2017

Private family interment will follow cremation at a later date.