Thomas "Tom" H. Thompson

Funeral Service: 10:00 am, Monday, October 3, 2011 at the Baker-Downer Westminster Presbyterian Church in Baker, Minnesota. Visitation: Sunday, October 2, 2011 from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm with a 7:00 pm Service of Remembrance at the church. Visitation resumes one hour prior to services. Burial: Elmwood Cemetery, Sabin, Minnesota Thomas Harold Tom Thompson was born on September 22, 1938 at St. Johns Hospital in Fargo, ND to Frank W. and Adeline (Stohle) Thompson. Tom was raised on the family farm near Baker, MN with his brothers and sisters; Jeanne, Frank, Fred and Janet. He attended grade school at districts 119 & 58 and high school through the 10th grade at Barnesville High School. Tom completed his junior and senior high school years at the Northwest School of Agriculture in Crookston, MN where he participated in wrestling and a number of agricultural related courses. At this time, Tom was farming with his dad and brothers on their Clay County acreage in the Baker area. He enlisted in the Army National Guard on October 5, 1957. During his term of service he was chosen as Outstanding Trainee of Company A, 12th Battalion. He was nominated because he had much determination, was very focused and was a strong leader. He was also commended for cooperation and alertness. He practiced and demonstrated these qualities throughout his life. He was honorably discharged from his service in the military in 1964. Tom married Margaret Ann Menze on September 24, 1960 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Barnesville. They made their home South of Baker, MN on the Comstock Road . Tom continued to farm with his dad and brothers as Frank W. Thompson and Sons, Inc. while he and Margaret Ann raised two boys; Tim and Todd. In the winter of 1975, the farmers bought the Charlie Miller farm. Tom, Margaret Ann and the boys moved a couple miles north where Tom, Tim and Margaret Ann continued their family farm; Tri-T Farms, Inc. In the summer of 1976, Tom bought his first motorcycle. His new hobby became a family adventure; taking them on many trips throughout the upper Midwest after the work was done. Tim and Todd had bikes of their own but Margaret Ann was comfortable riding behind Tom as their Harley Davidson traveled the highways and byways with friends and family. Tom was also active in community, regional and state organizations to include service on the Barnesville Fire Board, Alliance Township Board, Comstock Farmers Mutual Board, Minnesota State Seed Potato Board, Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers Association and many others. His unwavering faith was demonstrated in his daily activities and in his love for his church family at the Baker-Downer Westminster Presbyterian Church in Baker. In 2003, Tom was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease. It posed some challenges for Tom, his family and the community. Tom handled the set-back with grace and dignity. He was a great inspiration to patients of the illness, their tireless care givers and everyone he came in contact with. Tom moved from the farm to the ClayCo Care Center in Barnesville in June of 2011. As his condition deteriorated, he still maintained his honor and dignity while graciously accepting assistance from his angel-in-care; Margaret Ann, his family and the many friends who came by to see how Tom was doin . Tom and Margaret Anns love stood the tests of time through 51 years on September 24th of this year. Tom also celebrated his 73rd birthday in September with many family members on hand. On September 29, 2011 Tom passed away comfortably at Essentia Medical Center in Fargo surrounded by his family. He is survived by the loves of his life, Margaret Ann, his two boys and their wives, Tim (Twila) Thompson, Todd (Desi) Thompson and his grandchildren, Tessa, Tomi, Tandi and Tanner, all of Barnesville. Tom is also survived by his sister Jeanne Walker, Moorhead, Frank (Judy) Thompson, Barnesville, Fred (Joan) Thompson, Sabin, Janet (James) Noble, Clintonville, WI, his mother-in-law, Glorine Schulstad, Barnesville, his brother-in-law, Richard (Ronda) Menze, Oxbow, ND, and an extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Tom was preceded in death by his mom and dad.