Thompson, Phyllis Jeanette (Hanson) 1929 - 2020

THOMPSON, HANSON, FINHOLT, HEARN, WILLITS, CROSS

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 2/21/2020 at 20:05:06

Phyllis J. Thompson, 91, of Decorah, died early Wednesday morning, February 5th, 2020 at Barthell Eastern Star Nursing Home. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 8th at 11:00 am at First Lutheran Church in Decorah, Iowa. Reverend Melissa Bills will be officiating. Burial is in Canoe Ridge Cemetery in rural Decorah. Visitation is on Saturday morning from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, one hour before the service, at First Lutheran Church.

Phyllis Jeanette (Hanson) Thompson was born on a very snowy day at home on the family farm in Winneshiek County, Iowa, on January 11, 1929. The blizzard was so terrible that the doctor was not able to make it all the way to the Hanson farm in his vehicle. Hitching the sleigh to the horses, William Hanson set out to retrieve the doctor and deliver him to the farm just in time for the birth. Phyllis was the fourth child of William and Minnie (Finholt) Hanson. She was baptized at Canoe Ridge Church in rural Decorah and confirmed at Lincoln Lutheran Church in rural Ridgeway, Iowa.

Phyllis was proud to be a life-long resident of Decorah. When she was young, she played with her siblings on the farm. She loved to ride with her father on the long trip to Decorah and spend time in town. While growing up, she attended rural schools and at one time had her older sister, Eileen, for her teacher. Phyllis graduated from Decorah High School in 1947. On September 21, 1947, she was united in marriage to Melvin B. Thompson at First Lutheran Church in Decorah, Iowa. To this union they were blessed with two daughters, Lynn and Karen, and one stillborn son, David.

Phyllis was a hard worker who loved to challenge herself and keep her mind sharp. As a result, she worked at the Winneshiek Title and Abstract office for over forty years. She took time off to stay at home and raise her two daughters when they were young. Phyllis thoroughly enjoyed her job throughout the years. She worked different positions within the office, and in her later years, she posted all legal records of Winneshiek County. She continued to work part time in the office up to the age of 82.

She was a very social person and enjoyed meeting new people. Every week Phyllis loved to have coffee while chatting with her friends. If she wasn’t involved in an afternoon of coffee and conversation, Phyllis also relished in playing the card game 500. Also, First Lutheran Church was a special component of her life. Her faith was an important factor of her daily life, and over the years, she was active in many aspects of the church. Phyllis taught several years of Sunday School, participated in Circle on a monthly basis, engaged in many Bible study classes, and was a Deaconess for the church. Throughout the years, she thoroughly enjoyed visiting homebound church members or members in the local nursing homes.

The greatest joy in her life was her family. Phyllis enjoyed all aspects of family life and taught life lessons that still remain with her children today. She cherished meeting her two great grandsons, Miles and Garrett Willits, while they were on their visit to Iowa. Phyllis was a loving and caring wife, mother, and grandma. She was always there to talk with if needed, and everyone benefited from her words of wisdom and encouragement.

Phyllis is survived by her two daughters, Lynn Hearn (Ray) of Livermore, CA; and Karen Thompson of Decorah, IA; by her two grandchildren, Sarah Willits (Jeff) of Livermore, CA; and David Benjamin Hearn of Livermore, CA; by her two great grandchildren, Miles Willits and Garrett Willits of Livermore, CA as well as many nieces and nephews.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin Thompson on March 27, 2007; her son, David Michael Thompson; parents, William and Minnie Hanson; sisters Eileen Cross and Mavis Hanson; and brother Leon Hanson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to WMC Hospice, 901 Montgomery Street, Decorah, IA 52101 or First Lutheran Church, 604 W. Broadway St., Decorah, IA 52101.

Source: Fjelstul Funeral Home database

Canoe Ridge Lutheran Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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