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Wayne W. Thompson

aNEW ULM — Wayne W. Thompson, age 72 of New Ulm died unexpectedly of natural causes on Saturday, August 1, 2020, at the New Ulm Medical Center in New Ulm.

Funeral service will be 11 am on Saturday, August 8, 2020, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in rural Courtland. Wayne’s nephew, Pastor Timothy Fitzner will officiate, and burial will follow in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in rural Courtland where full military honors will be provided by the Nicollet American Legion Honor Guard.

Visitation will be from 9-11 am on Saturday at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in rural Courtland. Masks will be required by all guests attending, and seating will be limited by the capacity of the church.

The funeral service will be live-streamed on the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home’s Facebook page starting at 11 am on Saturday.

To leave an online condolence for his family, or to sign the guestbook, go to: mvfh.org

Wayne is survived by his daughters, Christi (Bruce) Wilts of White, South Dakota, Sarah (Thomas) Madison of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; his grandchildren, Megan (Kali) Stevens of Warner Robins, Georgia, Jolene (Joe) Rydell of Alliance, Nebraska, Amelia (Scott) Moore of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Hunter Wilts of White, SD, McKenzie Wilts of White, SD, Kailea Clites of Gilbert, Arizona, Vincent Madison of Sioux Falls, SD, Vivienna Madison of Sioux Falls, SD; 7 great grandchildren; his sisters, Kathy (Mark) Fitzner of Courtland, Brenda (Mel) VerCauteren of New Ulm, Debra (Douglas) Cottrell of New Ulm; his brothers, Gerald (Brenna) Thompson of Courtland, Don Thompson of Courtland; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Kim Thompson; and his brother Glen Thompson.

Wayne Wilfred Thompson was born April 6, 1948, in New Ulm to Wilfred “Woody” and Alice (Poehler) Thompson. He was a 1966 graduate from St. Peter High School and later attained his degree in diesel mechanics from Canby Technical College. Wayne was united in marriage to Kim Ripley on September 27, 1974, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in rural Courtland. This union blessed the couple with two daughters whom they raised in New Ulm. The couple later divorced, but stayed close in life. Wayne proudly served his country as a CB in the U.S. Navy during the time of the Vietnam war where he was stationed on a ship in Japan. After his time in the service, Wayne worked with his father at Thompson Construction as well as other local establishments before beginning his career with the City of New Ulm. Wayne eventually retired from the city in June of 2014. Besides his work, there were a variety of hobbies that Wayne dearly enjoyed in life. As an avid outdoorsman, he loved spending time in the woods hunting at the beer shack or fishing at his cabin on Lake Washington. As a jack-of-all trades, there was very little that Wayne couldn’t fix for his family or anyone in need. As a social man, Wayne enjoyed his morning coffee with friends at Joni’s, and an afternoon beer at Mowan’s. Wayne was a lifetime member of the American Legion and served time as the commander of the Nicollet American Legion. He was also a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Courtland. What brought Wayne the greatest joy in life was time he got to spend with his daughters and grandkids. Although Wayne’s passing seems so sudden and unexpected, many cherished memories will forever stay in the hearts and minds of all who knew him best. Blessed be those memories.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Immanuel Lutheran Church/School in Courtland.

Mvfh.org

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