Raymond Thompson

Raymond Thompson


Dates

July 16, 1925 - December 7, 2022

Obituary

Raymond Elbert Thompson, 97, of Mitchell, formerly of Fulton, SD, passed away Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at Firesteel Healthcare Center in Mitchell. Visitation will be Sunday, December 11, from 1-3:00 PM at Bittner Funeral Chapel with a 2:30 PM prayer service. Private burial will be at Graceland Cemetery in Mitchell.

Raymond was born to Henry D. and Olive (Rongstad) Thompson on July 16, 1925 in Mitchell. His siblings were Paul, Esther, Robert, Howard, John, and Donald. He attended Plano Consolidated School and graduated in 1943.

He married Esther Louise Bick on February 14, 1948, at the Mitchell Church of the Nazarene. They moved to Nampa, ID, but returned to farm near Fulton. They had 2 children, Sue and Richard. He loved farming, working with cattle, pheasant hunting, and baseball, especially the St. Louis Cardinals. He was treasurer of the Plano Consolidated School Board and clerk of the Plano Township Board.  He was very active in the Plano, Beulah, and Mitchell Church of the Nazarene and a current member of Harvest Community Church of the Nazarene. He thought the best part of being a parent was having grandchildren and Dick’s children, Cristin and Rob, made him proud.  

After his retirement, they moved to Mitchell. He worked hard on his yard and gardens and snow removal in the winter. He enjoyed biking and walking around the neighborhood. In 2010 Esther passed away. In 2013 Sue and her husband retired and moved in with Ray while building a house with rooms for him. He loved to mow the lawn and blow snow until he was in his early 90’s. In 2022 he moved in with Dick and Connie and then Firesteel Healthcare Center. Ray was a generous, kind, and gentle man.

Ray is survived by his children, Sue and Dennis Westgard, Mitchell, and Dick and Connie Thompson, Mitchell; grandchildren, Cristin (Thompson) and John Howell, Brooksville, FL and Robert, Aberdeen; sister, Esther (Thompson) Michaelis, Nampa, ID; brother, Donald, Portland, OR; two sisters-in-law, Trude (Conrad) Thompson, Eagle, ID and Grace Bick, Madison; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Esther; parents, Henry and Olive; in-laws, Roy and Hazel Bick; brothers, Paul, Robert, Howard, and John; brother-in-law, Ray Bick; and sister-in-law, Lila (Bick) Fosbenner.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.


Visitation(s)

Date
Sunday, December 11, 2022
Time
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location
2:30 PM Prayer Service

Bittner Funeral Chapel
805 W Havens Ave
Mitchell, SD 57301


Cemetery

Graceland Cemetery
Mitchell, SD


Posted by Dave and JoAnn Doering on December 18, 2022
Sue and Dennis, we are so sorry to hear of your father’s passing. You have our sympathy. Take care.
Posted by Marlene warnke on December 16, 2022
Sue and Dennis, sorry to hear of your dad's passing. May God comfort you.
Posted by Linda Logan on December 15, 2022
Sue and Dennis, may God give you peace and comfort as you mourn the passing of your Dad. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. Linda Logan
Posted by Milton & Lovella Schrader on December 13, 2022
We extend our sympathy to his family. When the Ed Triebwasser family moved to the Plano area, we visited Raymond many times. Raymond was a true friend indeed
Posted by HOWARD WICKETT on December 13, 2022
Jackie and I are so sad to hear of the passing of Sue's Dad.
We send our deepest sympathies.
Posted by Donna Wicklund on December 11, 2022
Sue: I'm so sorry to read about the loss of your father. I remember meeting him many years ago and thought he was a special person. My prayers are with you and Denny.
Posted by Dave Ness on December 11, 2022
Raymond was a gift from God to all of us who knew him.
Posted by George McGovern on December 11, 2022
Raymond was a strong and positive force. When ever I saw him he was always smiling and happy to see me. There aren’t many like him - I will miss him.
Posted by Chuck Bessant on December 10, 2022
I remember Raymond very well. When we went to South Dakota I always enjoyed visiting his farm.
Posted by Gary kimm on December 10, 2022
Raymond saw a lot of years as he walked with his children. May the families give thanks for his years of service and may they did strength from friends who love them.
Posted by Denny and Janice Welch on December 10, 2022
Raymond was our neighbor on the farm. He hired me to work for him when I was 14 years old. He had a Super MTA for me to run and sold me my first car, a 1946 Ford. He was a very good first Boss. May he Rest In Peace.
Posted by Pat and Les Westgard on December 10, 2022
Sue, so sorry for your loss. Your father will be missed by all. And you will always treasure the years he lived with you two.
Posted by Gary& MaryMoline on December 10, 2022
SSorry for the loss of your father.
Posted by Jerry and Linda Ness on December 10, 2022
A fulton friend. I always remember his kindness.
Posted by Pat & Ted Nelson on December 10, 2022
Our sincere sympathy.
Posted by Gary Fessler on December 9, 2022
As a young man Raymond would hire both my younger brother Ron and myself to help with farming duties- always thought very highly of Raymond for he was a very nice man and always treated people with respect -I am very blessed to have known this man - Rest In Peace RAYMOND
Posted by Wayne Mueller on December 9, 2022
Raymond was a good and godly man. He almost always had a warm smile and a warm friendly greeting. Over the years I had the privilege of hearing him declare that "I am just fine." He really was. May God comfort and encourage the Thompson family.
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