Donald Eldon Thompson

Donald Eldon Thompson, 84, of Murdock, died Thursday Dec. at Gabriel House in Murdock. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, December 21st at Kerkhoven Lutheran Church in Kerkhoven. Visitation will be from 4-6:00 p.m. on Sunday at Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Kerkhoven and continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Rolling Fork Cemetery in Swift Falls. Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Kerkhoven. www.hafh.org
Donald was born on Dec.16, 1931 to Bernt and Ruby (Hanson) Thompson in Swift County. He was one of ten children who grew up on the family farm north of Murdock. He attended country school until graduating from Murdock High School in 1950. After his schooling, Don enlisted in the Army, where he served during the Korean War from 1951 to 1953. He was stationed on the Korean Peninsula.
On Jan. 24, 1957, Don married Lorraine Swenson. To this union six children were born. After marriage he worked on a farm in Swift County. After a few years, Don and his family moved to the Bloomington area where he worked as a skilled welder. In 1968, He and his family moved back to the Kerkhoven area, moving to a farm. Don continued to work as a welder, where he worked at Willmar Manufacturing for 26 years before retiring. Don enjoyed deer hunting, playing horseshoes, fishing and growing the most beautiful garden around. He was extremely handy, fixing minibikes, motorcycles or anything else his children would break. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend.
He is survived by his wife, Lorraine of Murdock, children: Vicki (Glenn) Otteson of Belgrade, Doug (Vicky) Thompson of Pennock, Daniel “Dano” Thompson of Kerkhoven, Brian (Stephanie) Thompson of Kerkhoven, Tim Thompson of Kerkhoven and Lori Thompson of Brooten; 15 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings: Thomas Thompson of Willmar, Betty Nordby of Spicer, and Bernice Rodi of Benson.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and six sisters.