THOMPSON, Barbara Ann 1926 - 2015

THOMPSON, WILLIAMS, NEWELL, PAXTON

Posted By: Pat Ludeke (email)
Date: 10/10/2017 at 08:53:06

Barbara Ann Thompson

Barbara Ann Thompson of Clear Lake, Iowa died peacefully in her home on Monday, December 21, 2015 at the age of 89. She felt blessed to have received calls and visits from dear family and friends, and was looking forward to seeing Jesus and those she loved who had gone before her.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Oscar Thompson, her parents, Fordyce Edward and Lucinda Mae (Williams) Newell, and her sister Elizabeth (Newell) Paxton. She is survived by her three sons James Lawrence, Stephen Martin, and John Edward; their spouses, Gwen, Rosalind, and Colleen; nine grandchildren, and nineteen great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel on Friday, January 8, from 5:00 - 7:00pm. A Celebration of Life for Barbara will be held at Zion Lutheran Church in Clear Lake on Saturday, January 9, at 11:00am. There will be a private burial. Family suggests memorial contributions to Hospice of North Iowa, Opportunity Village, or Zion Lutheran Church.

Barbara was born on August 1, 1926 to Fordyce and Mae Newell in Hood River, Oregon. She was the twin sister of Betty Paxton. The young family moved to Caldwell, Idaho where the girls’ mother passed away when they were just fourteen years old. They quickly had to learn how to run a household. Barbara managed the finances, learning lessons in good stewardship which she carried with her throughout her life. “Watch your pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves,” she would often be heard saying. As a child Barb enjoyed playing the clarinet, fishing with her dad, and the time she shared with her sister as cheerleaders for Caldwell High School.

Barbara attended the University of Idaho where she met the love of her life, Don Thompson. He captured her heart after playing his trumpet for her outside her sorority window. The two were married June 22, 1946. Their first home was an 8’x30’ trailer they had built together in front of Don’s childhood home in Clear Lake, Iowa. They lived there for two years then they upgraded to a 34’ trailer. Their first two sons were born while the family lived in Dinty’s Trailer Park in Coralville, IA. Don’s career later took them to Lincoln, MA; Oak Ridge, TN; Thousand Oaks, CA; and Ames, IA. Barb was always on board for Don’s next adventure in his career as well as in his hobbies, although it often took some “conversation” to convince her of the wisdom of his decisions. She was an unwavering support to Don and to her three boys Jim, Steve, and John. She was strong, spunky, and always full of love.

As Barbara raised her boys they remember her as being practical and making them accountable for their choices. Like the incident in Oak Ridge. Their backyard was a beautiful forest. One mischievous young son, age 6, started a fire in the woods with a neighbor boy. Knowing they were in big trouble they ran home and sneaked under the bed, trying to hide from the consequences. A little while later they heard voices in the house as Barb was telling the fire chief where to find them. She knew a lesson would be learned as the boys heard from this kind but stern firefighter. The most important characteristic the boys remember about their mother was that there was never a time when they didn’t feel love from her. They had the usual rebellious teenage years and other challenging interactions. Adult life took them across the country and around the world. Barb was always there, not hovering, but giving space for her sons and their families to live their lives. Through it all nothing ever negated the feeling, the certainty, that she loved them.

Barb worked for many years as a secretary for the Head of Development at California Lutheran College and later for the Chief of Police of the Ames Police Department. She enjoyed playing tennis, Mexican Train, Scrabble, cards, doing crossword puzzles, boating with Don and the family, and dinner parties. How she loved inviting people into her home, filling her table with a bounty of delicious food, and simply enjoying the company of family and friends. In each place the family lived Barb found ways to serve with her gifts of faith and hospitality. She was baptized as an adult at Zion Lutheran Church where she remained a member until her passing. Barb participated in small groups, was a member of the 21st Century Club in Clear Lake, and volunteered with symphony guilds, at church, Little League, Boy Scouts, RAGBRAI, the Engage! Winter Outerwear Drive, exercise class, Medical Equipment Ministry, and the list goes on. Even in her last days, as her body was feeling the fatigue of her age, she continued to serve as she helped distribute much needed winter outerwear to local families, and was planning yet one more dinner party with friends.

In 1999 Don and Barb moved back to the place of Don’s birth, Clear Lake, IA, to a home they built and called “The Heritage”. She made the house feel like home to all who gathered there. Grand-children remember her quiet joy as Grandma would watch the chaos of her grandchildren (9) and great-grandchildren (19) running through the Heritage, eating all her food, and using every towel in her closet as she shared the home and lake that had so blessed her heart.

Barb was a servant with a deep faith in Jesus and in the love of God she saw on display in His creation. How she marveled in God’s goodness. She truly lived her life out of that foundation of faith as she began each day with thanksgiving for God’s gifts, closing her prayer always with “And thank You, God, for You.” Barb carried with her the sweet fragrance of the grace of God, and will be sorely missed.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake, IA 50428 (641)357-2193
ColonialChapels.com