Donald passed away at Chippewa County Montevideo Hospital and went home to be with the Lord on Sunday evening, March 21, 2010, at the age of 83 years, 9 months and 20 days after a brief stay in Luther Haven Nursing Home in Montevideo. Funeral service was at 2:00 PM, Wednesday, March 24, at Grace Lutheran Church in Dawson with Pastor Kendall Stelter officiating. Interment will be in Grace Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation was only on Wednesday for one hour prior to the service at the church. Donald Fred Thompson was born on June 1, 1926, in Madison, MN, to Carl O. and Valida (Christensen) Thompson. He moved with his family at a young age to rural Dawson and then into town when he was in the fifth grade and went on to attend Dawson High School. After high school, Donald enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1944, training in Texas and served in France and Germany during WW II, until being discharged in 1946. On February 7, 1948, Donald was united in marriage with Elaine Johnson at Dawson. They were blessed with two children: Larry and Lori. Donald and Elaine lived in several communities and settled in Dawson in 1959. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at Lori and Joel's home in February of 1998. After they were married, they moved to Minneapolis and Donald was employed at Archer Daniels and then went on to attend Telegraphy school, and upon completion, moved to Illinois where he worked with the railroad. After some time, they moved back to Minnesota and he trained to be a grain buyer in Madison, MN, and then worked at the GTA Elevator. He then worked for the elevator in St. James before moving home to Dawson to help on Elaine's family farm. They moved to Echo, where he was the manager of the Farmer's Coop Elevator, and in 1959, moved back to Dawson to be assistant manager at the Farmer's Coop Elevator. In later years, he went into partnership in a TV business in Dawson. The family, and especially the grandchildren, will remember the times spent with them as he was just about willing to do anything to keep it fun and interesting. He had a positive attitude every day, even as his health declined and was known to crack a joke to keep people laughing. He had a way about him that he could talk to even a stranger that was God given. Lori will cherish the memories of "coffee time" with her Dad and every Sunday spent at Joel and Lori's home. Joel enjoyed the times when Donald came out to ride in the combine with him. The family spent many hours playing numerous games, especially as his breathing became more difficult and he wasn't able to get out and about. Donald was an avid hunter and fisherman, later years enjoying many fishing escapades with his brother, Virgil and friends. Donald will be greatly missed by his family, but will have so many fond memories of the fun times spent with him and know that he is not struggling for every breath in heaven. He is survived by his children: son, Larry Thompson of Jefferson, SD, and daughter, Lori (Joel) Schutte of rural Dawson; 3 grandchildren: Kristin Schutte and special friend, Jordan Goodwin of Alexandria, MN, and Garrett Thompson and Shalene Thompson of Jefferson, SD; one sister, Florine Simpson of Orlando, FL; one brother, Virgil (Arlene) Thompson of Dawson; other family and friends. Preceding him in death were his parents; wife, Elaine on April 22, 2005; and brother-in-law, Edward Simpson..