ELMER E. THOMPSON

Elmer Edgar Thompson, 74, of Franklin, MN, formerly of Devils Lake, passed away at the Golden Living Center in Franklin on Friday, January 25, 2013. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, February 6 at 11:00 a.m. in the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake, with a reception following at St Olaf Lutheran Church. Inurnment will be held at St. Catherine's Cemetery in Lomice, ND, in the spring. Honorary pallbearers are Elmer's dear friends Earl Miller, Fred Rance Jr., and Gil Smith. Elmer was born January 21, 1939 in Devils Lake, the oldest of three boys born to Elbert and Ada (Hursman) Thompson. Elmer grew up in Penn, ND, and attended school in Devils Lake. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1960-64. He was united in marriage to Ida Rice on March 30, 1962. Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy, they returned to Devils Lake where they made their home and raised four sons. The family enjoyed regular camping trips with extended family. They also enjoyed hunting and fishing. Elmer and Ida later divorced. On November 25, 1984 Elmer married Mildred “Millie” Miller of Lakota. They made their home in Devils Lake. During these years, he enjoyed reading and tinkering on projects around the house and in the garage. They were later divorced, but remained together for a number of years after. Millie passed away September 5, 2009. Elmer worked as a mechanic and farmhand much of his life. He was employed by Farmers Union Oil Company, Dakota Implement and M&I Electric. His last job was helping Fred Rance Jr. of Webster as a mechanic on the farm, a job he thoroughly enjoyed. A massive stroke in May 2001 left Elmer partially paralyzed and forced him to retire. Since 2005, Elmer made his home in nursing homes in both North Dakota and Minnesota. Elmer’s family is very appreciative to the Golden Living Center staff for the care that they gave Elmer during his life there. Elmer is survived by his four sons, Chris (Annette) of Fargo, Kevin (Liz) of Argusville, ND, Nick (Jennifer) of Freeland, WA, and Gene of Fargo; two brothers, Lloyd of Livonia, MI, and Harold (Pauline) of California; 11 grandchildren; and 2 great grandchildren; four step-children, Earl (Judy) Miller, Michelle (Lynn) Haugen, Sandra (Ray) Schuh, and Michael (Cheryl) Miller. He was preceded in death by his parents, Millie, and sister-in-law Eileen.