Allan E. Thompson, longtime businessman, resident, “Drum Major” for the Devils Lake community, passed away on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at Heather’s House in Fargo, ND, at the age of 89 years.
Allan Earl Thompson was born Jan. 5, 1937, to Earl A. and Anna (Johnson) Thompson in Minneapolis, MN. When Allan was one year old, the family moved to Devils Lake, where Earl purchased Devils Lake Glass Company and began the family legacy that would help shape Allan’s life.
For reasons still unknown to Allan, he was sent to school at age four, making him forever the youngest in his class—and giving him an early start in keeping up with everyone else. He graduated from Central High School with the class of 1954, then attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, where he played hockey and met his future wife, Evon Riebe.
Allan and Evon were married on Oct. 27, 1957. The very next day, Allan reported for Basic Training and left for Texas—wasting no time in giving marriage an adventurous beginning. Evon soon joined him, and after Basic Training Allan was stationed in Germany for two years. During that time, their first son, Scott, was born.
After Allan completed his military service, Allan, Evon, and Scott returned to Devils Lake. In 1960, when Allan’s father, Earl, was ready to retire, Allan purchased Devils Lake Glass & Paint, Inc., becoming the second generation of family ownership. Allan and Evon made their home in Devils Lake, where Dawn and Todd soon completed the Thompson family. Allan worked tirelessly and was always selling something—paint, glass, flooring, appliances, snowmobiles, boats, sporting goods, and probably a few things people didn’t know they needed until Allan explained it to them. He was also known to quietly give a child skates, hockey equipment, or tennis shoes when he saw a need. In January 2002, Allan retired and sold Devils Lake Glass & Paint, Inc. to his son Todd, adding a third generation to the family business. He and Evon then began more than 20 years of wintering in Mesa, Arizona. Here they made and treasured new and renewed friendships.
Faith, family, and community defined Allan. The loss of his firstborn son, Scott, in a motorcycle accident at just 16 was a heartbreak no parent should have to endure, yet Allan carried on with strength and love. He supported Dawn and Todd in every endeavor, attended sporting events faithfully, and rarely missed a game. That same devotion extended to his grandchildren, as he traveled to as many hockey games, soccer games, golf events, and band concerts as he could. Everyone knew how proud he was of his grandchildren—because if you didn’t ask, he was happy to tell you anyway.
He may have retired from “the Store”, but anyone who knew him knew sitting still was never really part of his plan. A few years in, he decided he wanted to do something useful, so Stephanie Armstrong at Gilbertson Funeral Home was blessed—or perhaps brave enough—to hire him to help with funerals. Over the past 17 years, Allan became an integral part of the funeral home and Stephanie’s right hand, offering steady help, familiar humor, and a comforting presence to countless families.
If you were ever at Old Main in the mornings, Allan was a fixture with the Coffee Group. He loved “playing the game”—especially when it meant taking someone else’s money and getting out of buying breakfast. And when the game didn’t go his way, he tried his best to be a good sport about it, even if breakfast tasted a little better when someone else paid. No matter where Allan made his home, you could always find him out on the patio with a good scotch in hand, soaking in the quiet. He loved those moments when a neighbor or friend wandered over, turning an ordinary evening into something worth remembering.
If you knew Allan, you knew technology was not exactly his lifelong companion. He had a rare talent for locking up a computer or phone without even trying, once even changing the language on his phone to blind mode! Still, he enjoyed following friends on Facebook, and it was there that he reconnected with his high school friend, Marlene Huber Christenson. Allan and Marlene reestablished their friendship and were blessed with special time together in Fargo, Arizona, and at Dawn and Gerry’s lake house—a meaningful reconnection after so many years.
Allan was a faithful member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church and loved the Retreat Center. Many Sundays found Allan and Evon serving breakfast there after summer worship, with Evon making sure no one left hungry. After Evon’s passing, Allan continued the tradition with help from Stephanie—though everyone would likely agree breakfast was a little less elaborate without Evon in the kitchen.
Allan’s love for Devils Lake was immense. He gave his time and energy to Lake Region State College, the building of the Quentin Burdick Arena, the KEM Shrine, Rotary, and countless boards and community efforts. He cared deeply about improving and promoting the place he called home, and one of his final proud accomplishments was seeing Altru purchase the hospital.
Allan is survived by his children, Dawn (Gerry) Brossart of Fargo and Todd (Lynn) Thompson of Devils Lake; grandchildren, Garrett (Brooke) Brossart of Bennington, Nebraska, Lexa Brossart of Fargo, Keaton (Grace) Thompson of Des Moines, Iowa, and Cole Thompson of Grand Forks; great-grandsons, Baker Brossart and Tommy Thompson; and his special friend, Marlene Christenson.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Evon Thompson, on February 16, 2024; his son, Scott, on Sept. 24, 1973; his parents, Earl and Anna Thompson; and his in-laws, Gustave and Selma Riebe.
Visitation was held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake, ND on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 with Masonic Rites.
Funeral Services for Al will be on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake, ND, with burial in the Devils Lake Cemetery with Military Honors. There will be a time of fellowship and sharing of memories at the KC Hall following the graveside service.
The family requests memorials be directed to the Scott Thompson Scholarship Fund at Lake Region State College or St. Olaf Retreat Center in memory of Allan.
Funeral Services will be live streamed at Facebook.com/stolafchurchdevilslake.com