Mary Thompson

Mary A. Thompson, 89, Overland Park, Kan., formerly of Minot, ND, died peacefully Wednesday, September 8, 2010, surrounded by her family at Vintage Park Retirement Center in Overland Park, Kansas.

Mary Ann was born on August 12, 1921 to Joseph and Caroline (Gross) Schmaltz on a farm South of Rugby North Dakota. She graduated from Rugby High School in 1938 and attended Minot State University earning an Associates Degree. She taught at Orrin, N.D. for four years before moving to Los Angeles, California, where she met and married John Thompson in 1945. After spending two years in Rocky Face, Georgia, they returned to Minot N.D., where they raised their family. One of her proudest moments was earning a Bachelors Degree in Education from Minot State University at the age of 47. She touched many lives in her 28 years as a first grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary School. After retirement, Mary continued her involvement in education working for Minot State as a Supervisor for Student Teachers until age 70.

As an active member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Mary volunteered in the OLG Food Pantry and St. Monica’s group. She was a Marycrest Franciscan Associate. Mary was also involved with Delta Kappa Gamma Society, NEA, NDEA, MEA, and Golden Oaks retired teachers. She enjoyed volunteering as a patient care advocate for St, Joseph’s Hospital Auxiliary and Hostfest ticket office.

Mary is survived by sons, John (Shirley), Roger, and Brian (Rita), St. Petersburg, Florida, Dennis (Kathy), Geneva, Illinois; daughters, Joan (Chuck) Madden, Leawood, Kansas, Susan (Rick) Davis, San Diego, Calif., Michele (Steve) Haddix, Salem, Oregon, and Linda (Brian) Dickerson, Minot, N.D.; 21 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; brothers, Clem (Marion), Rugby, and Joe (Loretta), Minot; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John, daughter, Kathleen Kresel; brother, Jim; and sisters, Cathy Teigen and Carol Jacobson.

Mary’s deepest values were a reverence for God, her family, and her country. She believed in the importance of treating all people fairly and equally, and living by the Golden Rule.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, September 18, 2010, at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Minot. Interment will be in Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.

In lieu of flowers please send memorials to the Food Pantry of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church or Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church.

Those wishing to sign the online register and share memories may access the online obituaries section at (www.thompsonlarson.com).

Arrangements by Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.