Obituary for Priscilla June Thompson: April 1,1938 to December 24, 2024

Priscilla June Thompson (April 1, 1938 to December 24, 2024) passed away at her home surrounded by her family.  Priscilla’s battle against stomach cancer mirrored her fight to provide for her children and step-children in her early years.  She always accepted what circumstances presented themselves raising a family, moving from ranch to ranch, and she always made things abundantly better.  In the same way, she did not allow her illness to slow her down or prevent her from living her life to the fullest without complaint.

Pricilla was born in Winfield, Kansas.  Many of her fondest memories are from her childhood years growing up on the family farm.  She learned her domestic skills from her Momma but she excelled in the more physical, manly skills of a farmer while working alongside her Daddy.  She always preferred outdoor work and she was a skilled gardener, tender of livestock, and became an avid rock hound.

To this day, her yard is graced with an old rose that she would repeatedly plant then dig up during her many, many moves from town to town from Winfield to Yerington, Nevada.  That same rose has been rehomed and shared with neighbors and friends between the two states.

One of her greatest accomplishments as a young girl was earning enough money to purchase her beloved horse.  Her love of all things birds was accentuated when, just before passing away, a Meadow Lark came to the yard.  To her delight, they returned after many years of not being seen.

Although she had not been able to walk the many fields in The Valley for the past few years, she continued to walk her property always seeking treasures and always finding them!  She had such a good eye for the smallest detail that led to her finding the craziest, cool, and old things wherever she walked.

Her first husband, Roy Richard Cates, was a ranching man.  He and Priscilla fell in love in 1957 and traveled west.  Roy would find ranching work wherever they traveled.  He’d see a ranch with several outbuildings and announce to the family that he found his next job.  And sure enough, he did.  He would work for the rancher and Priscilla and the six kids would make a home out of whatever dwelling was on the property.  She sewed clothing, mattresses, and pillows.  She hauled water from nearby springs for baths.  Most of her cooking was done on a wood stove.  She toiled to make her family safe, comfortable, and happy.  Priscilla’s children were always her priority.

In 1971 Roy and Priscilla made their way to Yerington.  Although they parted ways, she remained in Yerington.  Her family grew when she and Dale Wayne Thompson joined in matrimony.  Some of her greatest stories were those of their life out at The Fish and Game Ranch.  She’d tell stories of her being stalked by mountain lions while walking in the fields.  She always had her dog with her and the two of them would somehow stay safe from harm only to venture back out the next day.

Throughout her life, Priscilla was connected to the Native American culture.  She appreciated and shared their love of nature and respect for animals.  Her wardrobe always had a spark of Cowboy class with Native American flair.  And, if you ever bumped into here in town, you admired her passion for turquoise jewelry.  There are not many petite women who can pull off wearing so many beautiful pieces of turquoise at one time but she did it and she did it with style!

All of her years here in Yerington she was a self-employed housekeeper.  She was proud to have worked for most of her clients for many decades.  She not only kept their homes clean but, in some cases, she helped raise the children of her clients.  All of her clients became special friends and were always considered family.  And, to no one’s surprise, Priscilla outlived most of her clients.  She continued working until just a few months before her passing.  That job ended only because her client unfortunately went to an assisted living facility then recently passed away; otherwise, Priscilla would have continued to work!

Priscilla is preceded in death by her parents, Grover Cleveland Smith and Emily Smith (Kowing), her brother, Bud Smith, Jr., first husband Royce Richard Cates, second husband Dale Wayne Thompson, two grandchildren, Christopher Lee Cates and Ashley Dawn Marriott, and two great-grandchildren, Cole and Cody Kilpack.  She is survived by her three children Lorna Lee Marriott, Rolland Cleve Cates, and Levi Larmar Cates (Kathleen), nine step-children, nine grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Priscilla’s wish to have a celebration of life that includes Native American songs and drums will be fulfilled.  Please join us Saturday, May 24, 2025, 11:00 AM, at Mountain View Park for a service followed by a potluck lunch. 

Family and friends are invited to sign her guest book at www.FRFH.net.  Arrangements was under the direction of Freitas Rupracht Funeral Home, 25 Hwy 208 Yerington, Nevada 89447  (775) 463-2911