Harold L. Thompson, 85, of St. Charles, died Friday, March 22, 2019, at Mayo Clinic Hospital – St. Marys Campus in Rochester, with his family by his side.
He was born January 26, 1934, at home on Vinegar Hill near Rushford, Minn. He was the youngest of the 10 children born to Carl and Emma (Saheim) Thompson. Harold graduated from Rushford High School in 1952.
He married the love of his life, Beverly Hoch, on July 2, 1955, at St. Martin Lutheran Church in Winona, Minn. They made their home in Winona for a short time and then moved to St. Charles, where they raised four children.
He was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in St. Charles as well as the Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons Union. At age 18 he began working in the plaster and stucco trade and spent his entire career working for various contractors throughout the Rochester area. He was very proud of the work he did and loved to talk about the jobs he worked on at St. Marys and Methodist Hospitals as well as many different schools and landmark buildings. He was a kind and generous man who helped each one of his children (and many others) with their home building and remodeling projects and never asked for anything in return. He was also highly sought after by anyone needing to complete plastering and cement work jobs. He loved to tinker with projects around the yard and in his shed. He also enjoyed the time he spent at the “Rushford farm” which has been in the family since the 1860s. He loved music and had the unique ability to play many instruments by ear including the piano, accordion, concertina, guitar, and harmonica. His family was his pride and joy.
He is survived by his wife Beverly and four children: Sandy Craven of Victoria, Minn., Barb (Scott) Williamson of St. Charles, Minn., Tricia (Darin) Ihrke of Dover, Minn., Greg (Joanie) Thompson of Eyota, Minn.; one sister, Lillian Reps of Rushford, Minn.; one brother, Clifford Thompson, Sr. of Lewiston, Minn; and one brother-in-law, Byron (Sherry) Hoch of Fountain City, Wis. 12 grandchildren: Alyssa (Jamin) Arvig, Aaron (Lisa) Craven, Amber (Brian) Larson, Eric (Michelle) Williamson, Kyle (Nicole) Williamson, Ryan Ihrke, Derek Ihrke, Katelyn Ihrke, Alexis (Nate) Batzel, Allison Thompson, Nolan Thompson and Luka Thompson; 13 great-grandchildren: Breanna, Sienna, Isabella and Grant Arvig; Brady and Cooper Larson, Braeden, Cade and Mia Williamson; Paisley and Isla Williamson, Aviana Ihrke and Braxton Batzel. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers, two sisters and two great-grandchildren, Piper Williamson and Tate Williamson.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 27 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in St. Charles. Burial will follow at the Hillside Cemetery in St. Charles. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26 at Hoff Funeral Home in St. Charles as well as one hour prior to the service at the church. The family prefers memorials to St. Matthew Lutheran Church or to St. Charles Foundation for Academic Excellence.