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IN LOVING MEMORY OF Donald Joseph Thompson
Donald Joseph
Thompson
Mar 25, 1921 — Dec 28, 2015
Amery
Donald Joseph Thompson's Obituary
On the evening of December 28, 2015, Donald J. Thompson passed away peacefully at his home with family at his bedside.
Donald was born on March 25, 1921 in Amery, Wisconsin to Ralph & Eulalia Thompson and was the oldest of 10 children. They lived in a home above his father's blacksmith business on Keller Ave in Amery until he left for WWII in 1941.
While serving in the army during the war, Don was stationed to New Guinea and later went to the Philippines. His job was repairing artillery and he made some life-long friends while serving there.
After the war Don returned home and opened a business in his father's blacksmith shop selling & servicing lawn mowers and chainsaws. In 1946, he decided to attend Dunwoody Institute where he learned to be a machinist. He then purchased equipment and began making metal parts for Fabri-Tek Corporation. His business grew and in 1966 became Thompson Machine, Inc. which was a major employer in Amery for many years. He was a quiet and honest businessman who worked hard and was respected by all who knew him.
On April 22, 1957, he married Ruby Edler and together they had two daughters; Laurie and Susan.
Having grown up in the 1930's, he was content to live a modest life style and enjoyed the simple things in life. One of the things he enjoyed most was music. He learned to play the baritone while in high school and continued to perform in the Interstate Band and also the Communiversity and British Brass bands of Rice Lake many for years. At one point, he was given a euphonium (twin-belled baritone) by a friend. He had this special instrument beautifully refurbished and enjoyed it well into his 80's. When Don was no longer able to continue playing, he passed it on to a former band member so they could enjoy it as he had. He also acquired a private pilot license and enjoyed flying in his retirement years.
Don loved his family and was a kind and thoughtful man of few words. He also gave back to his community by serving as a volunteer in the Amery Fire Department for 30 years. Don also volunteered time at Mustard Seed Faith Academy by listening to his grandchildren and others read their lessons aloud.
Highlights of Don's year were a reunion with his war buddies in summer and deer camp at the "Porcupine Inn" (his deer hunting cabin near Hayward) in November.
Don was a member of St Joseph Catholic Church all of his life – faithfully serving and attending there. He directed and also sang in the choir there for a number of years.
Don is preceded in death by his parents, step-mother Ann, wife Ruby, brothers, Gene and Gordon, and sisters Carmen Overby and Anita Hoehne.
Left to mourn are his children, Laurie (Randy) Stewart, Susan, and Donna Michael, grandchildren Jamie (Andrew) Johnson, Aaron (Erin) Stewart, Kallie (Jason) Bottolfson, Carrie Stewart, Nicholas Stewart, Joshua Stewart, Molly Stewart, Denise (Derek) Olson, and Debra Michael, 13 great-grandchildren, brother Gerald "Red" (Pat) Thompson, sisters Carol (Dan) Koval, Betty Montgomery, Doris "Dode" Beyl and Catherine Ann Thompson, and many other family and friends.
Mass of the Resurrection will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Amery on Tuesday, January 5, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. There will be visitation at the funeral home on Monday from 4 to 7 p.m. and for the hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at the Amery Cemetery.
Click here to order flowers.
Donald was born on March 25, 1921 in Amery, Wisconsin to Ralph & Eulalia Thompson and was the oldest of 10 children. They lived in a home above his father's blacksmith business on Keller Ave in Amery until he left for WWII in 1941.
While serving in the army during the war, Don was stationed to New Guinea and later went to the Philippines. His job was repairing artillery and he made some life-long friends while serving there.
After the war Don returned home and opened a business in his father's blacksmith shop selling & servicing lawn mowers and chainsaws. In 1946, he decided to attend Dunwoody Institute where he learned to be a machinist. He then purchased equipment and began making metal parts for Fabri-Tek Corporation. His business grew and in 1966 became Thompson Machine, Inc. which was a major employer in Amery for many years. He was a quiet and honest businessman who worked hard and was respected by all who knew him.
On April 22, 1957, he married Ruby Edler and together they had two daughters; Laurie and Susan.
Having grown up in the 1930's, he was content to live a modest life style and enjoyed the simple things in life. One of the things he enjoyed most was music. He learned to play the baritone while in high school and continued to perform in the Interstate Band and also the Communiversity and British Brass bands of Rice Lake many for years. At one point, he was given a euphonium (twin-belled baritone) by a friend. He had this special instrument beautifully refurbished and enjoyed it well into his 80's. When Don was no longer able to continue playing, he passed it on to a former band member so they could enjoy it as he had. He also acquired a private pilot license and enjoyed flying in his retirement years.
Don loved his family and was a kind and thoughtful man of few words. He also gave back to his community by serving as a volunteer in the Amery Fire Department for 30 years. Don also volunteered time at Mustard Seed Faith Academy by listening to his grandchildren and others read their lessons aloud.
Highlights of Don's year were a reunion with his war buddies in summer and deer camp at the "Porcupine Inn" (his deer hunting cabin near Hayward) in November.
Don was a member of St Joseph Catholic Church all of his life – faithfully serving and attending there. He directed and also sang in the choir there for a number of years.
Don is preceded in death by his parents, step-mother Ann, wife Ruby, brothers, Gene and Gordon, and sisters Carmen Overby and Anita Hoehne.
Left to mourn are his children, Laurie (Randy) Stewart, Susan, and Donna Michael, grandchildren Jamie (Andrew) Johnson, Aaron (Erin) Stewart, Kallie (Jason) Bottolfson, Carrie Stewart, Nicholas Stewart, Joshua Stewart, Molly Stewart, Denise (Derek) Olson, and Debra Michael, 13 great-grandchildren, brother Gerald "Red" (Pat) Thompson, sisters Carol (Dan) Koval, Betty Montgomery, Doris "Dode" Beyl and Catherine Ann Thompson, and many other family and friends.
Mass of the Resurrection will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Amery on Tuesday, January 5, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. There will be visitation at the funeral home on Monday from 4 to 7 p.m. and for the hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at the Amery Cemetery.
Click here to order flowers.
Funeral Services for Donald Joseph Thompson
Visitation
January
4
Monday
Williamson - White Funeral Home and Cremation Services
4:00 - 7:00 pm
Funeral Service
January
5
Tuesday
St. Joseph Catholic Church
Starts at 11:00 am
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