Thompson, Danny 1949-2025

THOMPSON, BARNES, SMEALL, WOOD, HALL, KAYSER

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 12/18/2025 at 12:40:27

Danny Thompson, 76 of Le Mars, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, December 11, 2025 surrounded by his wife and children at his home.

Services are pending for a later date. Expressions of sympathy may be expressed to the family through rexwinkel funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

Danny Dale Thompson was born on February 3, 1949 in Ord, Nebraska to Floyd and Deloris (Barnes) Thompson. He was raised on the farm and attended country school until 6th grade. He attended and graduated Salutatorian from Scotia High School in 1967. Danny continued his education getting a bachelors degree in Agricultural Business with a Masters in Agronomy from the University of Nebraska where he was a member of the Ag-Men Fraternity.

Danny worked a variety of jobs over the years; the majority all related to agriculture and construction. He was very proud of his contribution to the Calamus and Davis Creek Dams in central Nebraska. Unfortunately, Danny was injured in 2012 on the job and was no longer able to work in construction. This, however, led him to working in the maintenance department as the groundskeeper at the Orange City Area Health System in Orange City, Iowa. This was truly his dream job and he worked there for 10 years until his retirement.

Danny was united in marriage to Betty (Smeall) Wood and they had two children: Bradley and Julia. They later divorced.

Danny met Debra Hall-Kayser when he came to NW Iowa for work. They were united in marriage on July 22, 2000 and made their home in Le Mars.

Danny was a long-time member of the Presbyterian United Church of Christ in Le Mars. He volunteered at the church and participated and chaired property & maintenance for many years, taking care of many repairs. He enjoyed sports, especially watching golf, football and recently women's college basketball and Husker volleyball. Danny enjoyed doing sudoku and crossword puzzles; he was so skilled he could use an ink pen to complete. He was an avid Nebraska Huskers fan; in college he even walked on the football team as a kicker.

Danny and Debra enjoyed traveling with WeServe, an organization that facilitated mission trips to Jamaica. They took several trips over the years; on their last trip, Danny was able to go along with his grandson, Gage. Danny loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Danny is survived by his wife, Debra; son, Bradley Dale (Christina Highfill) Thompson; daughter, Julia ‘Julie’ Thompson; step son, Daniel (Ashley) Kayser; eight grandchildren: Reba (Anthony), Dylon (Jordan), Gage (Whitney), Michaela (Johnny), Brandi, Brayden, Jackson, and Lincoln Sue (due spring 2026); 15 great grandchildren; mother in law, Mary Hall; sister, Susan (Paul) Wood; sister in law, Kim (Kathy Haight) Hall; longtime friends: Mike & Linda Hill, John & Mildred Benson, and Gaylen & the late Lois Hansen; nieces, nephews, and other extended relatives.

Danny is preceded in death by his parents; father in law, David Hall; brother, Gerry and sister in law (Carol) Thompson.