Bennie W. Thompson, 91, of Minnewaukan, ND, died Friday, September 3, 2010, at Mercy Hospital in Devils Lake.  Funeral services will be Monday, September 6, 2010,  2:00 PM at Trinity Free Lutheran Church in Minnewaukan with Pastor Lu Mathison and Pastor Michael Rohrer officiating.  Burial will be in the church cemetery.  Military Rites will be accorded by the Gunnerud-Dietrich American Legion Post #86 of Minnewaukan.  Visitation will be Sunday from 4 to 7pm with a 7:00 PM Prayer Service at the Nelson Funeral Home in Minnewaukan.Casket bearers will be:  Ernie Lee,  Sid Bingaman,  Larry Bingaman,  Dan Bingaman,  Don Bingaman,  Don Thompson,  Garry Thompson,  Ronnie Thompson,  Robert Thompson,  Sidney Thompson,  James Witmer,  Michael Witmer,  Vern Thompson,  Randy Thompson and Ryan Thompson.  Music for the service will be from:  Rhonda Thompson Howard,  Rita Thompson Halvorson, Pastor Michael Rohrer and Bennie's grandchildren with Fay Huffman, organist.

Bennie was born January 23, 1919 in Greenbush, MN to Severin (Sam) and Christine Thompson. He moved with his family to the Churchs Ferry area when he was a year old. He attended various country schools and graduated as Salutatorian from Churchs Ferry High School in 1938. He attended Wahpeton School of Science and then took a job with Glenn L. Martin Co. in Baltimore, MD (making planes for the impending war).  He was in California in 1941 when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and soon enlisted in the Army Air Force where he served at various bases in the United States, serving as an airplane and engine mechanic instructor. He was honorably discharged on his 27th birthday in 1946. He attended NDSU for a time before buying the Clyde Rush farm in Riggin Township. Bennie married Thelma O. Krokum on October 27th, 1954 and raised two sons Kim and Kevin.

Bennie served as a Sunday school teacher and treasurer in Antiochia Lutheran Church until it was closed. He joined Trinity Free Lutheran in Minnewaukan and served as treasurer there. Bennie believed in grassroots participation in local government, serving on the township board and then as Benson County commissioner. Bennie will always be remembered as a kind, humble, godly man who had the gift of making others feel special, important and loved. He will be greatly missed by all whose lives he touched in his quiet, unassuming manner.


Survivors include his wife Thelma of Minnewaukan;  two sons Kim and Kevin (Robyn) all of Minnewaukan;  five grandchildren; Olivia, Davis (Megan), Tad, Katrece and Miriah, his sister Lilly Bingaman of Churchs Ferry, ND, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his aunt(stepmother) Brita Augusta, two sisters- Alice Blegan and Laurine Witmer, and seven brothers- Elmer, Sanford, Willie, Raymond, Sherman, Clarence, and Roy.





Condolences:

We are saddened of the passing of my Uncle Bennie. Our sympathy to my Aunt and cousins and their families. I remember so many good times when I was growing up and spent lots of times with my Aunt and Uncle.  He is going to be missed.  Brad and Linda Boudreau

We have fond memories of Bennie.  When I served as Pastor at Trinity for those four great years -Bennie was a regular at Wednesday night Bible Studies and of course Sunday mornings.  One time the Bible Study got really complicated and deep.  Bennie told us all that what he liked was to things to be simple like Jesus died on the cross for all of us.  I will not forget the faith of Bennie Thompson.  Isn't this all we need to really know is that Jesus died for us?  Bennie was absolutely correct.  We will see him again.  What a day that will be?  Pastor Dennis and Marilyn Gray