John E. Thompson - 84

Foley, Minnesota

July 14, 1926 - May 14, 2011

John E. Thompson, age 84, of Foley, MN, died Saturday, May 14, 2011 at The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, St. Cloud, MN, where he had been cared for by a loving staff.

Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at First Presbyterian Church, Foley. The Rev. Allen Jergenson will officiate. Burial will take place at the Green Lake Cemetery, rural Princeton, MN. Military Honors will be provided at the church by the Foley American Legion and the Gilman VFW.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 Tuesday at the Foley Funeral Home in Foley, MN and 1 hour prior to the service at the church. Prayer services will be at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Arrangements were made by the Foley Funeral Home, Foley, MN.

John Thompson was born July 14, 1926 in Tacoma, WA to John and Blanche (Johnson) Thompson. He married Marilyn Torell on November 4, 1950 at Wyanett Evangelical Free Church, Princeton, MN. He was a US Navy Veteran serving in the South Pacific hauling troops and also served in the Antarctic under Admiral Byrd. John worked in sales for Armour Meats, Kiwi Shoe Polish Co., and Red Hat Poultry Brokers before moving to Foley in 1965 when he became part owner of the Foley Hardware Co. He became full owner of the Foley Hardware in 1970 and sold the business to his sons in 1988. John was a member of the Gilman VFW and Foley American Legion, The Masonic Lodge and the First Presbyterian Church. He enjoyed camping with his grandchildren, cooking, deer hunting and salmon fishing and was an avid reader. He was also an All-Star Wrestling fan and he and Marilyn traveled throughout the world. Memorials are preferred in-lieu of flowers to a charity of the donors choice.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn, Foley, MN; sons; Brian (Jan), Foley, MN; Bruce (Sandy), Foley, MN, grandchildren, Lisa, Suzanne, Faith, Blake and Lance and great grandson, Tyree as well as a sister-in-law, Neta Thompson and Dorothy Torell and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Andy and sisters, Fayne Scott and Elaine Coffman and brothers-in-law, Bill Torell and Win Scott.