Duan Leland THOMPSON

THOMPSON, SJOBERG, DAVENPORT, LUND, MYLAND, DOWNING, SMITH, WATERMILLER, ROBESON, WHIPPLE, ROBESON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:54

February 17, 1927 ---- July 19, 2017

Duan L. Thompson, age 90, of Belmond, IA, passed away peacefully with family by his side Wednesday, July 19, 2017, at the Iowa Specialty Hospital-Belmond, Belmond, IA. Funeral services will be held 1:30 PM, Monday, July 24, 2017, at the United Methodist Church, 1031 1st St. S.E., Belmond. The Reverend James Gochenouer will be officiating. Burial with full military honors provided by the Belmond Military Unit will be in the Belmond Cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday from 4 to 6 PM at the Andrews Funeral Home, 516 1st Street S.E., Belmond and will continue one hour prior to the services at the church on Monday. Memorials may be made to the Belmond Historical Society.

Duan Leland Thompson was born February 17, 1927, in Belmond, IA, to Richard Leland and Matilda Gunhild (Sjoberg) Thompson. Duan was baptized in and was a life long member of the Belmond United Methodist Church. He attended Belmond Schools, graduating from Belmond High School in the Class of 1945. Following high school, Duan proudly served in the U.S. Army-Air Force, stationed at Hickam Field, Hawaii. He was honorably discharged as SGT on December 1, 1946 at Fort Sheridan, IL. Upon returning to civilian life, Duan worked at General Mills/Central Soya in Belmond working his way from entry level to Maintenance Supervisor at the time of his retirement after 36 years. Duan's intelligence and intuitive vision were amazing. He could diagnose, formulate a plan, accomplish or fix almost anything His ever inquisitive mind and ambitious drive to do everything to the best of his abilities was a result of spending countless hours at his father's blacksmith shop in Belmond, watching him work. He loved the outdoors and spent a great deal of his childhood years at the Iowa River cleaning debris, swimming, fishing, and ice skating on Susan’s Bay.

Duan was united in marriage to Linda M. Davenport on June 1, 1963, at the United Methodist Church, South Sioux City, NE. They recently celebrated their 54th anniversary. In his retirement years, Duan spent a great deal of time in his workshop fixing and restoring hundreds of Cuckoo Clocks, crafting a grandfather clock, and various other items. As in his career and everything else he did in his life all were done in a meticulous fashion. He and Linda did some traveling, but Duan always looked forward to returning home. They visited Germany and several other destinations during their retirement years. Duan's interests and pastimes were many and he strived to be proficient at each one, including bowling in many leagues, golfing, trapshooting, and playing billiards. He shared his knowledge and skills for these passions with his children and grandchildren. He loved to play adult fast pitch softball and was known for his terrific pitching. Duan always enjoyed a friendly, but competitive game of ping pong with his children. He was a natural athlete. He was very proud of his 1986 Dodge Pickup and will take it on one last ride when he is laid to rest at the Belmond Cemetery following his funeral. Duan had a lifelong love for music. When he was 3 he sat in front of the Lutheran Church crowd on a stack of hymnals and performed Silent Night on the piano. Those who were fortunate enough to cross Duan's path will fondly cherish memories of his warm and welcoming smile, and friendly hospitality. His wit, laughter, and twinkling blue eyes would captivate and attract family and friends alike. He truly loved and was loved by all who knew him.

His memory and legacy will be carried on by his wife, Linda Thompson, Belmond; son Richard L. (Marge) Thompson, Penn Valley, CA., daughter Diane L. (Michael) Lund, Pleasant Hill, IA, son, Gerald D. Thompson, Beaumont, TX, and daughter, Linette H. (Mick) Myland, Spring Grove, IL; grandchildren, Eric J. (Megan) Downing, Gretna, NE, Carrie J. (Chris) Smith, Port Ritchie, FL, Davon D. Thompson, Penn Valley, CA, Byron S. Thompson (Amber) of Cedar Ridge, CA, Chloe M.B. Thompson, Beaumont, TX, and Andrew M. Myland and Rachel L. Myland, both of Spring Grove, IL; and great-grandchildren, Rowan, Riley, Taylor, Jaycee, Caden, and Caleb; also surviving are Duan's sisters-in-law, Shirley (Bob) Watermiller, and Corrine Davenport, all of Belmond, IA, Lorraine Robeson, Lakeville, MN, and Marlys Thompson, Stacyville, IA; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rich and Matilda; parents-in-law, Bernard and Marlyce Davenport; sister and brother-in-law Anita (Gerald "Red") Whipple; brothers and sisters-in-law, William (Dory) Thompson, Donald (Betty) Thompson, and Roger (Ruth) Thompson; a brother, John "Jack" Thompson; half-brother, Richard Thompson; brother-in-law, Tom Robeson; and grandson, Jarrod Thompson. Andrews Funeral Home, Belmond, IA.

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