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Lowell Dean "L.D." Thompson, 93, of Verndale, Minn., a Herman native, died Nov. 5, 2013, in Staples, Minn.

Services were Friday, Nov. 8, at Verndale Alliance Church in Verndale. Interment was in Greenlawn Cemetery in Verndale. Military honors were conducted by the Elmer Goche V.F.W. Post 3922 of Wadena, Minn.

Lowell Dean "L.D." Thompson was born July 5, 1920, to Neal and Selma (Andersen) Thompson at the Updike Ranch at Herman.

He grew up and went to school in Blair. At 17, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps, working in the Black Hills of South Dakota for a year, and later for the B.B. Cattle Feeders at the Omaha Stockyards.

In August of 1942, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He spent one year in training and was promoted to first sergeant. After five months of training in England, he participated in the Normandy Invasion. He was in five battles, including the Battle of the Bulge, and received the Purple Heart.

He was discharged in Sept. of 1945, and started farming and raising cattle.

On Jan. 29, 1950, he married Arelene Benjamin at Laurel.

They farmed near Dixon until 1968, when they bought the Rocking Diamond Ranch east of Nimrod, Minn. In 1979, they sold the ranch and built a log home south of Blue Grass.

He worked in construction for 12 years for Marley Cooling Towers. In 1991, he retired and by 1997, they moved to Verndale.

He was a member of the Wadena V.F.W. Post 3922 and the Mid-MN Beef Growers Association.

He loved farming with John Deere tractors and riding through his cattle with his horse, Sonny, and his dog, Skippy. His family was precious to him.

He is survived by his wife, Arelene, of Verndale; daughters: Deanna "Dee" Thompson of Motley, Marsha (Mike) Achermann of Darby, Mont., and Brenda (Tim) Huwe of Park Rapids; sons: James (Vickie) of Verndale and Daniel of Wadena; sisters: Alice Madsen, Nila Matzen, Gloria Jensen and sister-in-law Judy Thompson, all of Blair; 12 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by brothers Harley and Elton; sister Mildred Wallace; brothers-in-law: Wesley Wallace, Marlin Matzen, Albert Madsen and Ron Jensen; and sister-in-law Ethel Thompson.

The Schuller Family Funeral Homes in Verndale were in charge of arrangements.

www.SchullerFamilyFH.com