Dan Thompson

OBITUARY Dan Edward Thompson, 78, of Alexandria, MN, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on June 5, 2014, due to complications from non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Dan was a kind and generous man who deeply loved his family, valued friendships, and lived a life filled with humor. Dan had a strong work ethic, was driven to help people, and valued being of service. Born April 7, 1936 in Hancock, MN, Dan was the youngest of Vern and Nellie Thompson?s four boys. The family moved to Alexandria where Dan attended high school (class of 1954), was a star basketball player, and met Joycelyn Duenow?love of his life. Dan and Joyce married on April 7, 1957 in Alexandria. They raised four children, moving several times during Dan?s 30-plus year career as district manager in the propane business. Dan served on the Alexandria Fire Department, where he and Joyce made lifelong friendships, was active in the Lion?s Club, Jaycee?s, and a Trustee for the First Congregational United Church of Christ. Dan and Joyce spent 22 years on Lake Cowdry before moving to Westbrook Estates. The lake, the deer shack, and carpentry were his favorite pastimes, as well as traveling and wintering in Florida. Dan was proceeded in death by his parents; parents-in-law; brother; brothers- and sisters- in-law; grandson; great-granddaughter; other relatives; and cherished friends. Dan is survived by Joyce, his wife of 57 years; children, Julie (Steve) Morgan, Brainerd; Jill (Diana Kennedy) Thompson, Minneapolis; Kent (Debbie) Thompson, Foreston; Jenny (Allison) Schultz, Minneapolis; grandchildren Leah Zach, Liza (Doug) Towle, Kelsey Bennett, Sam and Grace Thompson; great-grandchildren Gabrielle and Chloe Towle; brothers Jim (Joan) and Bob Thompson; other relatives; and close friends. A Memorial Service will be on Monday, June 16 at 11AM at Shalom Lutheran Church with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will be in Kinkead Cemetery; arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home. Urn bearers will be Dan's grandchildren; honorary urn bearers will be Dan's great granddaughters and the Alexandria Fire Department. Music by brother in-law Morris Duenow and granddaughter Grace Thompson. Memorials are preferred in Dan?s name to the Lymphoma Research Foundation (www.lymphoma.org). Dan?s family expresses their sincerest gratitude for the kindness of the nurses and caretakers of Knute Nelson Home Health and Knute Nelson Hospice.