Thompson, Jack Dean 1927-2011
THOMPSON, MCNELLY, MOBLEY, EDSTER, GROSSER, COTANT
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 12/10/2012 at 13:25:47
Jack D. Thompson, age 83, of Decorah, IA, died Friday, June 3, 2011 at Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:30 A.M. Thursday, June 9, 2011 at Whalen Cabin in Phelps Park in Decorah. Inurnment will be in Phelps Cemetery in Decorah. To honor Jack, everyone is asked to please wear purple to the memorial service, and to bring a lawn chair.
Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 P.M. Wednesday, June 8 at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah.
Jack Dean Thompson was born on November 23, 1927 in Jefferson Township, Adair County, Iowa, the son of Glen and Mildred Daisy (McNelly) Thompson. He met the love of his life, Marjorie Mobley in seventh grade in Des Moines, Iowa. He graduated from North High School in Des Moines with the class of 1946. On March 8, 1948 he was united in marriage to Marjorie at the First United Methodist Church in Des Moines, Iowa. To this union one daughter was born, Teresa Lynne.
Jack served in occupied Japan with the U.S. Army following World War II. He then graduated from Iowa State University in Ames in 1953. That same year he and Marge moved to Decorah, Iowa, where he would spend the rest of his life, first as an architect with Charles Altfillisch, then as a downtown merchant in Decorah when he and Marge purchased Vanberia International Gifts in 1974. They later started Norsk Engros USA, Inc. – a wholesale needlework business.
Jack was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Decorah for many years, Rotary Club, Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce, Decorah Downtown Betterment and Oneota Golf & Country Club. He was an Honorary Girl Scout and helped with the construction of Camp Tahigwa. Jack was also a Nordic Fest flag recipient. He enjoyed dinners and time with family as well as fresh air while mowing his lawn, sometimes in his suit, much to the chagrin of his neighbors.
Jack died Friday, June 3, 2011 at Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah at the age of 83.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Marjorie, on October 20, 1998; two brothers, Bill and Roy Thompson; and a brother-in-law, Herman Edster.
Jack is survived by his daughter, Terri (Chuck) Grosser of Decorah; his granddaughter, Jeanette (Chris) Cotant of Cresco; three great(emphasis on the great)-grandchildren: Katrina, Kendall and Karissa Cotant; one sister, Margaret Edster of Vancouver, WA; a sister-in-law, Mary Lou Thompson of Omaha, NE; and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to The Downtown Decorah Betterment Flower Basket Fund, Nordic Fest Endowment Fund, Camp Tahigwa, or the charity of your choice.
Source: Fjelstul Funeral Home database
Phelps Cemetery
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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