1916
Herbert
2013
Herbert Thompson
March 19, 1916 — November 16, 2013
Herbert J. Thompson, age 97, of Fergus Falls, died Saturday, November 16, 2013 at the Broen Home in Fergus Falls.
Herbert John Thompson was born on March 19, 1916 in Ruthton, Minnesota to parents Theodore and Julia (Bly) Thompson. He grew up in rural Ruthton on the family farm with his twin sister, Hulda and sisters, Mabel and Selma. He graduated from Ruthton High School in 1934 and continued farming with his father.
On November 11, 1944 he married Eunice Erstad in Pipestone, Minnesota. They lived on the farm for a short time, then moved to Pipestone where they owned and operated Spotty's Café. In 1946, they moved to Minneapolis where Herb attended Minneapolis Business College, graduating with a degree in accounting in 1949. He accepted a position with Otter Tail Power Company in Canby, Minnesota and in 1950 was transferred to the office in Fergus Falls where he was employed until his retirement in December 1980. He and Eunice had three children, Joyce, Curtis and Judy.
Herb was an active member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church for over 50 years, teaching Sunday School and serving numerous times on the church council. He also received training and taught The Bethel Bible Series in the late 1960's. He was a member of Sons of Norway, serving as President for two years, a member of Kiwanis and active member of the Senior Citizen Center where he served several terms as President.
He and the family enjoyed many years on Otter Tail Lake. He loved to fish (at least he loved to get ready to go fishing, purchasing the latest lures, tackle, rods, etc.). Vacations usually consisted of camping trips with friends.
Herb and Eunice enjoyed square dancing and traveled around the country, attending National Square Dance Conventions whenever they could.
He was an avid Bridge player and over the years he and Eunice enjoyed many good times with friends over the Bridge table. He taught all his grandchildren to play so at family gatherings there was always a Bridge game going on with Grandpa.
In 2004 he reluctantly placed his wife into the care of the Broen Nursing Home. He visited her faithfully at least twice a day for 4½ years until her death in April of 2009. During this period he spent many hours learning to cook and perfecting his recipes. He was especially proud of his peanut brittle which he gave away as gifts. He got such rave reviews that he eventually, with the help of family, began making and selling it under the name Grandpa Thompson's Old-Fashioned Peanut Brittle. It was sold in many retail gift shops throughout Minnesota for a period of about 2 years.
He was a loving father and grandfather who was proud of his family and always interested to hear about their lives.
He was preceded in death by his wife Eunice, his parents, four sisters, Thelma, Hulda, Mabel and Selma, and a son-in-law, Lynn Anderson.
He is survived by his children: Joyce (Garrett) Visser of Alexandria, MN, Dr. Curtis (Kathy) Thompson of Greenville, PA, and Judy (David) Carlson of Richville. Grandchildren, Kyle Anderson, Golden Valley, Kristen (Shannon) Uecker and children Madison, Kennedy and Taylor, Fargo, ND, Sarah (Todd) Hedderick and sons Soren and Brekken, Greenville, PA, Kyrk Anderson and daughters Elizabeth, Kalynn and Deni Jo, Winter Park, CO, Joshua Thompson, Greenville, PA, Kelly Anderson and children Jaden and Maria, Fergus Falls, Stephanie (Robert) Slavik and daughter Paige, St. Louis Park, Ryan (Megan) Carlson and daughters Chloe and Maren, Fergus Falls, Aaron Thompson, Chicago, IL, Joran Thompson, Chicago, IL, Barbara (Paul) Barbieri and children Eli and Julia, Grass Valley, CA, Eric (Jen) Carlson and children Max, Joran and Sydney, Albany, MN, Julianne (Pierre) Monceaux and daughter Claire of Palaiseaux, France, and John (Rebecca) Visser and son Lucas, of Minneapolis, MN.
Funeral Services: 11 AM on Saturday, November 23, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls
Visitation: 5-7 PM, Friday, Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Fergus Falls - and one hour prior to the service at the church
Clergy: Rev. Tom Peterson and Rev. Kate Bruns
Cemetery: Knollwood Memorial Gardens, Fergus Falls
Arrangements: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Fergus Falls.
Condolences: GlendeNilson.com
Herbert John Thompson was born on March 19, 1916 in Ruthton, Minnesota to parents Theodore and Julia (Bly) Thompson. He grew up in rural Ruthton on the family farm with his twin sister, Hulda and sisters, Mabel and Selma. He graduated from Ruthton High School in 1934 and continued farming with his father.
On November 11, 1944 he married Eunice Erstad in Pipestone, Minnesota. They lived on the farm for a short time, then moved to Pipestone where they owned and operated Spotty's Café. In 1946, they moved to Minneapolis where Herb attended Minneapolis Business College, graduating with a degree in accounting in 1949. He accepted a position with Otter Tail Power Company in Canby, Minnesota and in 1950 was transferred to the office in Fergus Falls where he was employed until his retirement in December 1980. He and Eunice had three children, Joyce, Curtis and Judy.
Herb was an active member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church for over 50 years, teaching Sunday School and serving numerous times on the church council. He also received training and taught The Bethel Bible Series in the late 1960's. He was a member of Sons of Norway, serving as President for two years, a member of Kiwanis and active member of the Senior Citizen Center where he served several terms as President.
He and the family enjoyed many years on Otter Tail Lake. He loved to fish (at least he loved to get ready to go fishing, purchasing the latest lures, tackle, rods, etc.). Vacations usually consisted of camping trips with friends.
Herb and Eunice enjoyed square dancing and traveled around the country, attending National Square Dance Conventions whenever they could.
He was an avid Bridge player and over the years he and Eunice enjoyed many good times with friends over the Bridge table. He taught all his grandchildren to play so at family gatherings there was always a Bridge game going on with Grandpa.
In 2004 he reluctantly placed his wife into the care of the Broen Nursing Home. He visited her faithfully at least twice a day for 4½ years until her death in April of 2009. During this period he spent many hours learning to cook and perfecting his recipes. He was especially proud of his peanut brittle which he gave away as gifts. He got such rave reviews that he eventually, with the help of family, began making and selling it under the name Grandpa Thompson's Old-Fashioned Peanut Brittle. It was sold in many retail gift shops throughout Minnesota for a period of about 2 years.
He was a loving father and grandfather who was proud of his family and always interested to hear about their lives.
He was preceded in death by his wife Eunice, his parents, four sisters, Thelma, Hulda, Mabel and Selma, and a son-in-law, Lynn Anderson.
He is survived by his children: Joyce (Garrett) Visser of Alexandria, MN, Dr. Curtis (Kathy) Thompson of Greenville, PA, and Judy (David) Carlson of Richville. Grandchildren, Kyle Anderson, Golden Valley, Kristen (Shannon) Uecker and children Madison, Kennedy and Taylor, Fargo, ND, Sarah (Todd) Hedderick and sons Soren and Brekken, Greenville, PA, Kyrk Anderson and daughters Elizabeth, Kalynn and Deni Jo, Winter Park, CO, Joshua Thompson, Greenville, PA, Kelly Anderson and children Jaden and Maria, Fergus Falls, Stephanie (Robert) Slavik and daughter Paige, St. Louis Park, Ryan (Megan) Carlson and daughters Chloe and Maren, Fergus Falls, Aaron Thompson, Chicago, IL, Joran Thompson, Chicago, IL, Barbara (Paul) Barbieri and children Eli and Julia, Grass Valley, CA, Eric (Jen) Carlson and children Max, Joran and Sydney, Albany, MN, Julianne (Pierre) Monceaux and daughter Claire of Palaiseaux, France, and John (Rebecca) Visser and son Lucas, of Minneapolis, MN.
Funeral Services: 11 AM on Saturday, November 23, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls
Visitation: 5-7 PM, Friday, Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Fergus Falls - and one hour prior to the service at the church
Clergy: Rev. Tom Peterson and Rev. Kate Bruns
Cemetery: Knollwood Memorial Gardens, Fergus Falls
Arrangements: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Fergus Falls.
Condolences: GlendeNilson.com
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