Wendy Ann Thrane, 53, of Front Royal, VA formerly of Trail, MN, passed away unexpectedly on April 15, 2018 in Winchester Medical Center.

Funeral Service will be 2 PM, Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls, MN, with Pastor Tim Lundeen officiating.  Burial will be at Nazareth Cemetery, rural Trail, MN.

Visitation will be 12 noon-2 PM, Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls.

Wendy Ann Hanson Thrane was born on July 22nd, 1964 to Howard and Linda Hanson of Trail Minnesota. Wendy attended and graduated from Oklee High school before continuing her education at the University of North Dakota. She was married on June 13th, 1987 and three years later had her first child, a daughter named Ariel Dawn Berry. On February 10th, 1995, she was remarried to Jeffrey Michael Thrane in Key West, Florida. On September 4th, 1996, Wendy gave birth to her son Austin Jeffrey Thrane. A few years later Wendy and Jeff decided to make a huge leap in search of opportunities in Virginia.

Although it was a rough start staying in the local Cool Harbor Motel, with Wendy taking care of Ariel and Austin while Jeff worked nights at his new job: she always had a knack for business and a thoughtful personality to compliment it. Once things began to settle down after the move, Wendy built a thriving label business from the ground up called "Mark it Plus." Slowly but surely the family began getting involved with the Front Royal community and started attending Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church. Wendy served as a member of the church council and taught Sunday school, along with helping as a greeter and lending her helping hands as often as possible. As her business began to grow, Wendy never lost sight of the importance of family. Young Austin missed having so much time to play tennis and do other fun things with mom; after a long day of work Wendy came home to notes taped all over the house with, "I hate Mark it Plus" scribbled across them all. This moment had a huge impact on Wendy, and without second thought she selflessly sold her label business and ventured on to acquire her real estate license.

Weichert was her starting place where she had to once again start from scratch. After years of hard work and putting forth her passion to help others, Wendy earned many awards and became a prominent realtor in Virginia. Although the stress was immense at times, she always spoke highly of her new career because it exposed her to so many new people who would become close friends. She made it clear how rewarding it was for her to see happy clients, and how important it was to make home buying as easy as possible.

In her free time Wendy loved anything that involved nature, friends, family, and seeing new places. Whether it was camping, hiking, laying on the beach, being out on the water, jumping on hay bales, riding four-wheelers, touring museums, forts, or lighthouses: she always loved to be active and out soaking up the sun or learning something new. Each trip she made the most out of by cramming our schedule full of new activities.  Being such a busy gal, her go to lunch was always a sandwich, chips, and an ice-cold mountain dew which she would drink every day at noon. It was common knowledge at the Thrane house that you don't take the last Dew in the fridge, or you might risk facing her knowledge of self-defense or kickboxing from classes she has taken.

Everyone that knew her can say Wendy had a true lust for life. Her positive attitude and mindfulness could bring light to any situation, and she was a firm believer that we think things into reality. Her balance with work, family, and friends was remarkable, and a skill we should all strive to master. She was the glue that held so many amazing people in contact. Being thousands of miles away from home was a challenge she took head on, and made sure to make time for visits as frequently as possible. Wendy was the type of person who knew the life she wanted to live and would make it happen, all while making time to watch the sunset and enjoy the small things.

Survived by her husband, Jeffrey Thrane of Front Royal, VA; daughter, Ariel Berry of Lynchburg, VA; son, Austin Thrane of Front Royal, VA; parents, Howard and Linda Hanson of Trail, MN; sister, Joanne Hanson Olson of Thief River Falls, MN; brother, Dean Hanson and wife Naomi of Trail, MN; nieces and nephews, Wyatt Olson of Thief River Falls, MN, Tyler Hanson of Trail, MN, Faith Hanson of Trail, MN, Clancy Hanson of Trail, MN, Carter Hanson of Trail, MN, Gracie Hanson of Trail, MN, and Tucker Hanson of Trail, MN; along with aunts, uncles and cousins.

Wendy was preceded in death by her grandparents, Lloyd and Lorraine Watne, Harry and Nora Hanson and brother, Luane Hanson.