Walter E. "Walt" Thompson 1919-2011

THOMPSON OSBURN MYERS

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 4/6/2011 at 18:51:14

Sioux City Journal
6 February 2011

MOVILLE, Iowa -- Walter E. "Walt" Thompson, 91, of Moville died Thursday, Feb. 3, 2011, at a Sioux City hospital.

Services will be 11 a.m. Monday at the United Methodist Church in Moville, with the Rev. Ed Frank officiating. Burial will be at a later date in Oak Hill Cemetery at Anthon, Iowa. Visitation will be 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. today, with a Masonic Service at 5:30 p.m., at the Armstrong Funeral Home in Anthon.

Walter Everett Thompson was born July 15, 1919, to William B. and Cora (Osburn) Thompson in rural Anthon, Iowa. He grew up there with the exception of one year the family lived in Oklahoma. Walt attended country school in grade school and then high school in Anthon, as a member of the first class to graduate in the new gymnasium in 1939. After graduation, Walt and his brother, Fred operated a gas station for a short time before serving in the 34th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army during World War II. During his tour of duty, he met Dwight Eisenhower, who later became president of the United States, and General Patton.

After an honorable discharge from the Army, Walt worked for a short time at J.C. Penney in Sioux City, where he met his future wife, Helen LaVerne Myers. They married Dec. 30, 1945. Soon after their marriage they started farming in the Anthon and Moville areas, where they spent their life together and raised their family. Walt worked some winters at the Sioux City Stockyards during his years of farming. LaVerne died Aug. 2, 1990. Walt retired from farming in 1993, and moved from rural Anthon to Moville. He was very proud to have spent several years working with Dale, Brian and John Weaver and their families.

He was a 50-year member of the American Legion McNiff Post 389 and the Masonic Cerulean Lodge 550, both of Anthon. Walt loved following Yankees baseball and Duke basketball. He had a deep appreciation for nature with its change of seasons. He was an animal lover, feeding birds and caring for stray cats. As a horse breeder, Walt worked with a blood line that is highly prized yet today. He was also well known as an avid horseman, continuing to ride after the age of 87 years. Walt liked specific order and getting things done right the first time. Above all, Walt's greatest pride was found in his family.

Those survivors left to cherish their memories of Walt include two daughters and their husbands, Susan and Gary Chapman of Moville, and Janet and Mark Engel of South Sioux City; seven grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren.

Along with his beloved wife, LaVerne, Walt was preceded in death by his parents; a son, David Thompson in 2010; a granddaughter, Stacey Thompson in 1975; four brothers, Marion "Friday", William "Henry", Fred B. and Jerry Thompson; and one sister, Virgie Eickholt.