Lynn J. Thompson

Lynn J. (Jim) Thompson, age 82, passed away Monday, October 7, 2013 at Unity Hospital in Grafton, ND. Lynn was born April 24, 1931, in Grafton, ND. He was the ninth and youngest child of Ludvig C. and Ellen Julia (Thompson) Thompson. A lifelong resident of Grafton, Lynn attended the rural school, Farmington 110 often riding his pony "Patsy" to school. He attended Grafton High School and graduated in 1949. Lynn was a hardworking man who farmed with his father and brother, Chester. In 1957, he was introduced to the beautiful, new Home-Economics teacher, Gloria Cloutier, they were married on June 30, 1959 and thus began a love that would last over 55 years. Lynn was proud of his family, his farm,his community, and his state. He was a member of the Grafton Parade Band that performed at the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, CA in 1949. He served on the Grafton City Council for many years, the grain elevator board, as President of the curling club, and in the North Dakota State Legislature in the House of Representatives. Lynn kept his farm in meticulous order and over the years hosted state politicians and farmers from around the world. He was proud of the fact that his son, Paul and nephew Lloyd have continued in the family tradition of farming. Lynn was proud of his children and enjoyed attending games and performances of his grandchildren. He always enjoyed a good fishing trip, to Lake of the Woods with his young family, with his friends, and in more recent years with Paul and his grandson, Charlie. Lynn enjoyed many summer weekends at Maple Lake with family, extended family and friends. Lynn will be remembered as a humble, kind, loving and generous man with a clever sense of humor who helped and cared for others all of his life. Lynn is survived by his wife, Gloria, children, Mare Thompson (Jerry Lowe), Grand Forks, ND, Cathy (Doug) Johnson, Winona, MN, Ellie (Tom) Clarke, Seal Beach, CA and Paul (Jill LeClerc), Grafton, grandchildren, Claire Thompson, Julia Clarke, Maria Clarke, Olivia Clarke, Molly Clarke, Cassie Thompson, Charlie Thompson and Anna Thompson. He is also survived by his sisters, Florence Myers, June Hebbel and Phyllis Bogart and many nieces and nephews who loved "Uncle Jim". Lynn was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Chester Thompson, sisters, Gladys Mathena, Bernice Weishaar, Elsie Johnson, Mildred Brende and grandson, Peter Clarke. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m., Friday at Tollefson Funeral Home in Grafton. Visitation will continue from 9-10 a.m., followed by the funeral at 10 a.m., Saturday at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Grafton. Interment will be in the church cemetery.