Verne C. Thompson

   Verne C. Thompson, 89, of Hillsboro, ND, formerly of Clifford, ND, passed away Friday, May 31, 2019, at Luther Memorial Home, Mayville, ND.

   Verne, known to many as “Bud,” was born on January 31, 1930, at Clifford, ND to Charley and Helga (Vinje) Thompson.  He grew up on a farm northwest of Clifford, and graduated from Clifford High School.  On January 22, 1951, Verne married Elaine V. Madson at Bruflat Lutheran Church, Portland, ND.

     Verne entered the U.S. Marine Corps on January 30, 1951.  He was a front line combat veteran of the Korean Conflict, receiving an honorable discharge on June 7, 1952.  Upon his return from the service, Verne and Elaine first lived in Moorhead, MN, then moved to Portland. In the spring of 1954 they moved out to the family farm near Clifford, where they farmed, initially with Verne’s father, raised their five children and lived for almost the next 60 years. Verne was an active member of Norman Lutheran Church and in the 1970’s served on the Clifford-Galesburg School Board.

   After his retirement from being an active farmer, Verne became a passionate caretaker of the lawn at the family farmstead and found time to observe and appreciate the wildlife out on Lake Elaine. Verne and Elaine moved to Hillsboro, ND in the fall of 2013, where Verne had a window through which he was able to keep track of the many trains that passed through town and the traffic on I-29.  After 66 years of marriage, Elaine passed away on April 16, 2017.

   Verne is survived by his children, Jackie (Steve) Sannes, Grand Forks, ND, Dale A. (Julie) Thompson, Bottineau, ND, Ricky (Mary) Thompson, Bend, OR, Ron (Brenda) Thompson, Coon Rapids, MN, and Stacy (Darrin) Helt, Andover, MN; his grandchildren, Jeremy (Camilla) Nickelson, Jay Nickelson, Megan (Joe) Sullivan, Hayley Sannes, Benjamin Thompson, Jacob, Hannah and Joshua Thompson, Patrick (Hayley Wender) Thompson, Kendall (Leah Anderson) Thompson, and Peyton and Addison Helt; his great-grandchildren Lovisa, Aleksander and Max Nickelson and Penelope Thompson; and his sister, Lorraine Rygg, Fargo, ND.

   Verne was preceded in death by his wife, Elaine; his brothers Glen Thompson and Myron Thompson; his sisters Marion Hanson, Eleanor Grandalen and Sylvia Kvernen; and his great-grandchild Aria Sullivan.

Visitation:  Will be 5–7 PM Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at the Baker Funeral Home Chapel in Mayville, ND and will resume one hour prior to the service at the church.

Funeral Service: 10:30 AM Thursday, June 6, 2019 at Norman Lutheran Church in Clifford, ND.

Military Honors: Galesburg American Legion Post 210 and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors.

Burial: Will be in the Norman Cemetery in Clifford, ND.