Thompson, Golden O. 1905-1975

THOMPSON, WENDEL

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 3/17/2010 at 15:47:23

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, February 25, 1975

G. O. Thompson dies in Des Moines after 3-week illness

Dr. Golden O. Thompson, 69, Des Moines, who had lived in Le Mars for 35 years, died Tuesday (Feb. 25, 1975) at Iowa Lutheran hospital, Des Moines, after a 3-week illness.

During his years in Le Mars, Dr. Thompson served as a Methodist pastor and as dean of men and academic dean at Westmar college.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Immanuel Methodist church, 2900 49th St., Des Moines. Rev. Washington will officiate.

Dr. Thompson has served as parttime pastor at the Des Moines church since last spring. He retired as academic dean at Westmar college in August, 1970 and then spent two years in Brazil teaching in a Methodist college.

At his request, Mrs. Thompson said Dr. Thompson's body was sent to the University of Nebraska medical school at Omaha for research.

Golden O. Thompson was born Aug. 26, 1905, at Marshalltown to Joseph J. and Emma Golden Thompson.

His early years were spent in Marshalltown and he then came to Le Mars, where he earned his bachelor's degree at Western Union (now Westmar) college.

He received his bachelor of divinity degree at the former Evangelical seminary, Naperville, Ill., and later his master's and Ph.D. from Boston university.

His marriage to Helen Wendel took place in 1933 at Radcliffe, Iowa. At that time he was pastor of the Evangelical church at Colo. where the couple lived for two years. During this period twin sons were born to the Thompsons. The babies lived only a few days-after birth.

In 1935 they came to Le Mars where he served as pastor of Hildreth Memorial Evangelical church for nine years. During this time their four children were born.

In 1944 he took a full-time position with Westmar college as professor of philosophy and dean of men.

In 1946 the family moved to Essex, Mass., where they lived for 1 1/2 years. He enrolled in the program leading to the Ph.D. degree in Boston university. During this time he also served as pastor of the First Parish church (Congregational) at Essex.

The family returned to Le Mars in 1947. He continued as teacher of philosophy and religion and dean of men at Westmar. He completed his dissertation in 1951 and was granted the Ph.D. degree in June 1951.

The family continued to live in Le Mars the next 20 years. Dr. Thompson later became Westmar's academic dean, retiring in 1970.

At that time they moved to Des Moines and then left for a 2-year period in Brazil. He taught an English laboratory class, but his principal responsibility was the teaching of postgraduate classes in education administration.

The couple returned to Des Moines in June 1974 and purchased their Des Moines home. He continued as parttime pastor in Des Moines.

He had been active in church and civic affairs during his years in Le Mars and had rejoined the Rotary club in Des Moines.

Survivors are his wife Helen, Des Moines; a son Wendel Lawrence of Columbia, Md; three daughters, Jo Ann Wer, Omaha; Karen Johnson, Clay, N.Y., and Mary Kercher, Clinton, Md. There are nine grandchildren and a brother, Noel Thompson, Roland, Iowa.