Wally Thompson

Wallace J. Thompson, known as Wally, 85, of Staples, died March 15, 2019 at Lakewood Health System Hospital in Staples.  

A memorial service will be held March 20 at 11 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, Staples, with Pastor Carl Larson officiating. Visitation will be held March 19 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Brenny Family Funeral Chapel in Staples and one hour prior to the service at the church.

Interment will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Little Falls.  

Wally was born June 15, 1933 in Argyle to Anton and Lillian (Peterson) Thompson. He grew up and was educated in Grand Forks, ND, attending Central High School.  He served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955. He was united in marriage to Marian Schmaltz Dec. 12, 1956 in Minnewaukan, NDand they made their home in Grand Forks. He began working with the BNSF Railroad in the Material Department, working his way up to Locomotive Fireman and Engineer.  He was transferred with the railroad on Jan. 20, 1972 to Staples, working in Administrative to Management (Trainmaster), retiring after 46 years with the company. He was united in marriage to Shirley Redemske on July 1, 1995 at the Staples United Methodist Church.  Shirley died August 10, 2018.

Wally was a member of Faith Lutheran Church and the Masonic Lodge, serving as Master of the Lodge five times and receiving the Hiram Award.  He spent 15 years in Rotary, served 15 years on the Staples Tree Committee, planting hundreds of trees in Staples.  He was a member of the NARVRE (National Association of Retired & Veteran Railway Employee’s, Inc.).  He enjoyed Square Dancing, growing roses and vacationing in Arizona.

He is survived by five children, Audrey (Scott) Nelson of Grand Forks, ND, Linda (Dean) Shearer of Fargo, ND, Glenn Thompson of Princeton, Roger (Sandy) Thompson of Bismarck, ND and Dawn Anderson of Crookston; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two sisters, Marlene (Bob) Bemenderfer and Ardyce (Terry) Swanson.

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings: Bud Thompson, Ronald Thompson, Keith Thompson, Connie Elgaen, Sharon Gudmundson and Joan Bare and wife, Shirley.

Arrangements are by Brenny Family Funeral Chapel in Staples. www.brenny.com)

           w12c  A00006B2019MAR20

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