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Obituary for Raymond H. Thompson
Raymond Harold Thompson was called to his heavenly home on Friday, January 31, 2014 in the evening at his home with his wife, family and pastor at his side. He was diagnosed with colon and lung cancer in August of 2010. He had colon surgery in January of 2011, and for the next three years, continued his battle with cancer and receiving wonderful medical attention at the Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital in Minneapolis, MN.
Ray was born on October 30, 1938, at Fairview Hospital on Riverside in Minneapolis, MN. He attended the following grade schools – Seward, Longfellow, Howe and Sanford Junior High, and transferred to Roosevelt High School where he graduated. He also attended night classes at the University of Minnesota for a year. He entered the U.S. Navy in October of 1957 and joined the Naval Reserve for six years. After service duty he worked at Northern Pump for 10 years, worked at TimeSavers, Inc. for 4 years, ACP Corp. for 3 years, Durex Products, Inc. for 9 years, and ended up working for AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) for 25 years and retired in 2003. After retirement he began driving for the Polk County Aging program providing transportation to local residents to medical appointments. In most recent years he was also a volunteer driver for the VA. He touched many lives of people in the area due to his career in AAL and through his ability to be a volunteer driver through the VA and the Polk County Aging Program.
Ray married Irene (Mielke) and to this union three sons were born: Scott, Michael and David, and they were married for over 25 years.
Ray was an active and faithful member of AA and celebrated over 27 years of sobriety.
In December of 1989, Ray and Carol (Heidtke) were married at Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Frederic. Ray was a very active member of Pilgrim including being on council for several years, Sunday school teacher, assistant to the pastor for confirmation instruction and most recently he joined the choir.
Ray enjoyed outdoor sports such as hunting, his annual fishing trip to Leach Lake, MN in winter and summer, plus he loved golfing all summer long. He really enjoyed spending time with family and friends and especially the grandchildren. Throughout his adult life Ray traveled all over the United States and Mexico via trips he earned through AAL. He had a fondness of playing cribbage and especially when the grandchildren got older to play with him.
Whenever there was a Viking game on TV, he was right there to watch all of the action. He enjoyed trains and model railroading and set up a model train at the renovated Soo Line train depot run by the Frederic Historical Society. He was an active member of the Frederic Lions Club.
Ray is survived by his wife, Carol; two sons, Scott (Annette) Thompson, David (Lisa) Thompson; step-children, Chris (Leigh) Funk, Missey (David) Younger; six grandchildren, Amy Thompson, Laura (Tony) Harris, Veronica Thompson, Michelle Thompson, Cody Camp and Bryce Younger. He is also survived by his brother, Don (Wanda) Thompson; nieces, nephews, cousins and many lifelong friends.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Mary Jane (Ryerson) Thompson; son, Michael Thompson; brother, Cliff Thompson; and nephew, Mark Thompson.
Any memorials received will go to Luther Point Bible Camp located near Grantsburg, WI. Many youth from Pilgrim attend this summer Bible Camp.
Funeral services will be held at Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Frederic on Wednesday, February 5, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service. Pastor Paul Peterson will be officiating and a luncheon in the Fellowship Hall of the church will follow the service. Music will be provided by organist, Mary Lou Daeffler and vocalists, Amy Thompson and Terri Stoner. Interment will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN on Thursday, February 6, with the family present. Pallbearers will be Gary Rusnacko, Paul Proft, David Gustafson, David Younger, Mike Heidtke, Gilbert Berg, Clarence Fenton, Bryce Younger and Tony Harris.
Online condolences may be left at www.rowefh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Rowe Funeral Home in Frederic, 715-327-4475.
