Memorial Service for Kathryn M. Thompson, age 94, of Fairmont, MN, will be 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 30, 2022, at the Lakeview Funeral Home in Fairmont with internment in Lakeside Cemetery in Fairmont at a later date. Visitation and luncheon will be immediately following the service until 3:00 p.m. at the Lakeview Funeral Home. Kathryn passed away on Friday morning, December 16, 2022, at the Good Samaritan Society in Jackson, MN. The Lakeview Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Fairmont is assisting the family with arrangements.
Kathryn Marie (Loop) Thompson was born on October 30, 1928, in Fairmont, MN. She was the daughter of Eldred and Elizabeth (Hengel) Loop. She attended Fairmont public schools and later graduated from Fairmont High School in 1946. Kathryn furthered her education at St. Cloud State.
On September 9, 1950, Kathryn was united in marriage to Charles Thompson at the United Methodist Church in Fairmont. Kathryn lived in Alabama for a year while Charles was in the Army. After he returned from the service, the couple lived and farmed in East Chain, MN, and Swea City, IA, for many years. This union was blessed with six children, Scott, Russ, Laurie, John, Mike, and Jamie. Kathryn and Charles shared over sixty-one years together before Charles passed away on November 3, 2011.
Kathryn worked at Dr. Scott’s dental office in Fairmont after high school. She also worked at Fairmont Canning Factory for several seasons as well as detasseling corn and working for several years at Janzen’s Green House.
Kathryn was very active in music her entire life. In high school she played clarinet, saxophone, and cello. For a year she played in a dance band in Fairmont. She also helped out playing organ at East Chain UMC, and directed youth and chancel choirs at Swea City United Methodist Church. After she and Charles moved to Fairmont in 2005, Kathryn sang in the choir at Fairmont United Methodist Church. She was also very active in various church circles, as well as the United Methodist Women. Her main joy was singing in the Grandmothers’ Trio with Bernadine Hazelhoff and Leona Drew. The group entertained at many nursing homes and various events in the area through the years.
When she wasn’t busy with music, Kathryn enjoyed tending to her garden. She always had a huge garden while living in Swea City which her family and many others benefited from. Kathryn was also a great cook and has passed down her recipes to her kids, but nobody cooks it like mom- just sayin’! She was a member of the Cowbells in Kossuth County for many years. Kathryn also enjoyed the many hours spent quilting with her church friends in Swea City.
Left to cherish her memory include her children, Scott Thompson and his wife, Peggy, of Fairmont, MN, Russ Thompson and his wife, Mindy, of Fairmont, MN, Laurie Forshee and her husband, Jim, of Fairmont, MN, John Thompson and his wife, Charlene, of Frost, MN, Mike Thompson of Fairmont, MN, and Jamie Thompson and his wife, Marlyce, of Fairmont, MN; 11 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Along with her parents, Eldred and Elizabeth Loop, Kathryn was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Thompson; grandson, Zach Thompson; daughter-in-law, Mary Thompson; stepmother, Florence Loop; sister, Virginia Helland and her husband, Allan; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Merwin and Helen Thompson.
