Ronnie Gail Thompson, 81 years old and lifelong farmer from rural Brinsmade and Devils Lake, passed on the morning of May 21, 2024, at his Devils Lake home with his family surrounding him. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 1, 2024, at the Trinity Free Lutheran Church in Minnewaukan, ND, with Pastor Luther ‘Lu’ Mathison officiating. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service. Music will be provided by Rhonda Thompson Gilpatrick and Rita Thompson Halvorson. Burial will take place at Trinity Free Lutheran Cemetery in Minnewaukan. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Hospice of the Red River Valley: 2860 10th Ave N Suite 400, Grand Forks, ND 58203.
Ronnie was born Oct. 26, 1942, to Roy and Grace (Ness) Thompson in Brinsmade, ND, and attended school in Brinsmade, San Diego, CA, and Minnewaukan, ND, graduating in 1960. Ronnie farmed with his dad Roy from the time he was a kid and at the age of 18 bought his own farm in Riggin Township. In 1964 he married Rebecca (Becky) Haagenson and they started farming together and raising their family. He was born a farmer and with Becky took pride and joy in raising his crops and kids. He loved going for drives (oftentimes with his granddog Goldie) to check crops. He truly lived for his family and farming. A highlight of each year for Ronnie and his family was spending time at the Dale and Martha Hawk Farm Museum in rural Wolford. In recent years he enjoyed time spent on the West Bay of Devils Lake with his family.
Ronnie loved music and listening to his girls singing and playing piano and guitar. Like his dad, his boys farmed with him early on. His grandkids meant the world to him and he enjoyed being with them and his granddog, Georgia. In his early years of farming, he belonged to the National Farmers Organization and served on the Trinity Free Lutheran Church Board, Minnewaukan School Board, and the Riggin Township Board. A soft-spoken, humble and unassuming man, Ronnie treated people with kindness and respect and it’s no wonder he had so many good friends.
Ronnie is survived by Becky, his wife of nearly 60 years and their 4 R’s, Rhonda (Jeff) Thompson Gilpatrick of Grand Forks, Rita (Brian) Thompson Halvorson of Grand Forks, Randy (Sherri) Thompson of rural Minnewaukan, and Ryan (DeShawn Tofsrud) Thompson of rural Leeds; his grandchildren, Ethan Howard, Emma, Evan and Eric Thompson, Ceara, Preston, Garrette, and Austin Thompson; step-grandchildren, Jonathon, Erin (Andrew) Allen, Jenifer, and Erika Gilpatrick, Mike (Alyssa), Chris (Mariah), and McKenna Tofsrud; his great-grandchildren, Kaidyn Burdick and Hennessy Kukowski; his step-great-grandchildren, Whitley Jo Allen, Emery Jade Gilpatrick Gross, Avlyn, Easton, and Cohen Tofsrud, Tinley, Talon Boone, and Townes Tofsrud; special cousins-in-law, Marco Tollefson, Julie Tollefson, and MariDon Sorum.
He is survived by his brother, Garry (Darlene) Thompson and their son Corey (Missy); brothers in-law, Larry (Jan) Haagenson, Paul Haagenson (Sharyl Schaffer); step brothers-in-law, David (Lori) Pederson and Brian (Marla) Pederson as well as several nieces and nephews.
Ronnie is preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Grace; his parents-in-law, Boyd and Elna Haagenson; mother-in-law, Madelyn Hayes; sister-in-law, Sandra Tofsrud-Luder; brother-in-law, David Haagenson; step brother-in-law, Randy Pederson; his grandson, Alec Howard; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins as well as several good friends.
Nelson Funeral Home of Minnewaukan is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be left at www.thenelsonfuneralhome.com.
