Arnold E. Thompson

Arnold "Tommy" E. Thompson, 96 of Houston, died peacefully on Sunday, November 13, 2011 at Golden Living Center in LaCrescent.Arnold was born January 14, 1915 in Whalen to Alfred and Emma (Sveen) Thompson. He attended the Whalen Country School through 8th grade. On October 12, 1938, Arnold married Minerva Topness in Lanesboro. He started working at Gateway Trucking when he was 19 years old. He was a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps for a few years. When he retired from Gateway, he worked on the family farm until retiring at the age of 88. He loved working on the farm and taking care of the animals and always had a dog by his side. Arnold was a lifelong member of the Whalen Lutheran Church and was also a member of the Teamsters Union. He also loved to dance, coon hunt and spend time with his family. Christmas was his favorite time of the year, eating all the traditional Norwegian foods and being surrounded by his wife, kids, and grandkids. Arnold was quick witted and a great story-teller His many grandchildren and great-grandchildren will miss his wonderful stories and his beautiful smile for them that made them feel as special as they all were to him.Arnold is survived by his wife, Minerva; children, Tony (Judith) of Tennesse, Donna (Richard) Benson of Mabel, Julie (Jim) Thompson-Hakes of Brownsville; Alda (Stephen) Thompson - Korte of Bismarck, ND, and Kevin (Jen) of Detroit Lakes; twenty grandchildren; twenty-six great grandchildren; six great-great grandchildren; and a brother, Duane (Elvie) Thompson of KentuckyHe is preceded in death by his mother who died in 1929, his father and a beloved step-mother, Emma (Hasleit).Funeral Service will be 11 a.m., Friday, November 18 at Whalen Lutheran Church in Whalen with the Rev. Patricia Hinkie and Rev. Louise Stromberg co-officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. Visitation will be 5-7:30 p.m., Thursday at Hoff Funeral & Cremation Service in Houston and one hour prior to the service on Friday at the church.Please share a memory of Arnold, leave a message of sympathy for his family, sign his online guestbook and view his video tribute when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com