John H. Thompson

John Hoyme Thompson was born March 9, 1942, in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, to Rev. Gjermund and Agnes (Michaelson) Thompson. He was baptized on April 5, 1942, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls. At age 12 he moved with his family to Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He was confirmed at First Lutheran Church, graduated from Eau Claire Memorial High School in 1960 and attended Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa. In October 1962 he joined the US Army. While serving in the Army he worked in teletype communications and was stationed in Okinawa for 28 months. Following his discharge in July 1965 he moved to New York City where he worked at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. He moved back to the Midwest for a couple years and then returned to New York City. In 1969 he worked for American Airlines and in 1972 for Avis Rent-A-Car. In January 1974 John relocated to Northfield and became employed by Sheldahl, where he worked in various capacitates for 25 years. He has lived on the Northfield Retirement Center Campus since October 1998.

John greatly enjoyed music and as a young man sang in the Waldorf College Concert Choir. In Northfield he was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and sang in the choir. John was a lifelong learner as evidenced by the many Elder-Collegium courses he took. He particularly enjoyed history, and anyone who met him soon became acquainted with his remarkable recall of dates and events. John enjoyed travel, making multiple visits to different parts of Europe and also to China. He was proud to have traveled to nearly every state in the U.S. John loved the cars he owned, and he was especially proud of the models he collected and displayed.

Survivors include his brother and sister-in-law, Frederick and Jean Thompson of Port Angeles, Washington; his sister-in-law, Marilyn Thompson of Hastings; 3 nephews: Mark, Jonathan and Andrew Thompson and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Rev. David Thompson.

John passed away Saturday morning, September 6, 2008, at the Northfield Hospital Long Term Care Center, at the age of 66.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, September 20, 2008, at the Northfield Retirement Center Chapel with Rev. Diane Goulson officiating. Music will be provided by Pastor Goulson, Lois Burgoyne and John’s brother Fred. A reception will follow. John’s urn will be placed in the St. John’s Lutheran Church Columbarium in Northfield.

Memorials are preferred to Northfield Retirement Community or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Arrangements are with the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home in Northfield.