CARROLL R. THOMPSON, 85

(veteran)

Funeral services for Carroll R. Thompson, 85, of Blair, were Thursday, Sept. 15, at First Lutheran Church in Blair. Military graveside services were held in the Blair Cemetery. Mr. Thompson died Monday, Sept. 12, 2005.

Carroll Raymond Thompson was born at home, Dec. 15, 1919, to Earl (Manning) Thompson & Emma (Andersen) Thompson. He grew up west of Herman and attended the New England School. The family moved to just north of Blair in the late 1930s where his father had purchased a farm. At the age of 21, he began his own farming career by renting a farm from Ralph Mencke near where the Cottonwood Marina is today.

In 1941, he was drafted into the United States Army where he was assigned to the Army Engineers and built bridges in Germany, including one over the Rhein. While in Germany he met and married Gertrude Elizabeth Klossek. He returned to farming west of Blair in 1946 after returning from the war. The 14 years on the farm yielded six children: Gerhardt, Diane, Ray, twins: Carroll and Carl, and John.

During the winter of 1960 and 1961, the family moved to Blair. After his eldest son, Gerhardt went into the service in 1964, and without the extra help, Mr. Thompson couldn’t keep up with the farming. So in 1965, he started work for the City of Blair at the light plant, managing the city’s water treatment facility at night. In 1971, he retired from the light plant. He bought a house on Nebraska Street in 1974. In 1982, after much work and remodeling, they moved in. He put a lot of effort into repairing his M tractor and readying it for snow removal and always kept it in the garage.

Carroll is survived by five sons and daughters-in-law, Gerhardt Thompson, Ray Thompson, Carl and Kim Thompson, Carroll and Tracy Thompson, and John and Lisa Thompson, 16 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Daisy Williby and Meta Matzen, all of Blair; and one sister-in-law, Marge Thompson of St. Paul.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Gertrude; one daughter, Diane Wulf; brothers, Earl, Calvin, infant twin brothers Merle and Lyle; and a sister, Annie Breithaupt.

# 2 - - from Omaha World-Herald, September 13, 2005

THOMPSON - - Carroll R., age 85, Blair, NE. survived by 5 sons and daughters-in-law, Gerhart, Ray, Carroll and Tracy, Carl and Kim, John and Lisa; 16 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters, Daisy Williby, Meta Matzen, all of Blair; sister-in-law, Marge Thompson, St. Paul, NE.

SERVICES 2 pm Thursday at First Lutheran Church. Burial Blair Cemetery. VISITATION starting 12 pm Wednesday with family receiving friends 6 – 8 pm.

CAMPBELL-AMAN FUNERAL HOME, Blair, NE 402-426-2191