Ray M. Thompson

Ray M. Thompson, age 85 of Decorah, IA, died on Tuesday, March 1, 2005 at his home in Decorah following a long illness. Funeral Service is at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 5, 2005 at Decorah Lutheran Church in Decorah, IA by Rev. Bryan Robertson, with burial in Lutheran Cemetery in Decorah, with full military honors. Visitation is on Friday, March 4, 2005 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah, with a V.F.W. Memorial Service at 6:30 p.m. Friday, and on Saturday after 10:00 a.m. at the Church. Ray Merton Thompson was born January 7, 1920 in Decorah, IA, the son of Martin and Mayme (Stoskopf) Thompson.  He graduated from Decorah High School with the class of 1937. He was united in marriage with Arlene Larson of Decorah on April 22, 1945 at Canoe Ridge Lutheran Church in rural Decorah. To this union 3 sons were born: Larry, Les and Lee. He worked for Bell Aircraft in New York, NY and as a police officer in Decorah, prior to joining the service.  Ray was a veteran of WWII serving in the Army Air Corps from September 9, 1942 to February 12, 1946.  After returning from the Army, Ray and Arlene settled in Decorah, where they raised their family.  Ray and his brothers owned a body shop and then Thompson Motors Ford Dealership.  Ray then worked for the United States Postal Service as a Postal Supervisor, retiring after 23 years of service in July of 1982.  Ray enjoyed traveling and being with family and friends until his health prevented it.  He loved to fish.  He was active at Decorah Lutheran Church where he was a money counter and member of the Fifty Plus Group.  Ray was a member of the V.F.W. and D.A.V. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Roger and Curtis Thompson; and his sister, Katie Hamre. He is survived by his wife, Arlene, of Decorah; his son, Larry (Jackie) Thompson of Decorah and their children, Lance of St. Cloud, MN, Mitchell of Turlock, CA, and Jody Thompson of Sheboygan, WI; his son, Les (Julie) Thompson of Boone, IA, and their sons, Jon of Cedar Rapids, IA, and Paul of Princeton, NJ; his son, Lee (Judy) Thompson of Sioux Falls, SD, and their daughters, Kara (Scott) Fedders of Colorado Springs, CO, Heather Thompson of Conifer, CO, and Rachel Thompson of Minneapolis, MN.