Shirley Mae Thompson

The tomatoes are picked, the yard was mowed, the house was cleaned, the ironing was done and the last chapter was read. Shirley was ready to go home.  

Shirley Mae Frey made her appearance on May 27, 1933, at the home of her aunt, Helen Cooper, in Winona, Minn. She joined her mother Helen Margurite (Strupp), father Felix Henry Frey, sister Phyllis, and brother Ron. Younger siblings Carol, Jane, Richard and Robert later completed the Frey family.  

Shirley graduated from St. Aquinas High School in La Crosse, Wis. She had a strong work ethic and was committed to her family. Her parents purchased the White Front Café in Lanesboro where she worked side by side with them. This is where she met her future husband, Edward (Bud) Thompson. They eloped to Rochester, Minn., on November 25, 1956. They resided in several locations in Preston and eventually moved to a farm south of Fountain. Shirley purchased the Fountain Drive Inn. She later sold it and went to work at the Establishment in Rochester.  

Shirley passed away at the age of 91 on June 29, 2024, at Spring Valley Living Care Center.

Shirley is survived by her three children: Jeffrey (Colleen) Thompson, Susan (Daryl) Schwantz, and Joseph Thompson; seven grandchildren: Jason Schwantz, Trenton Thompson, Kristi (David) Sollman, Adam (Rachel) Schwantz, Michael Schwantz, Jacob Schwantz and Amy Thompson; five great grandchildren: Kali and Myles Thompson, Arianna (Rosebud) Schwantz, and Kira and Kolbie Sollman; siblings Carol Le Beau, Robert (Toni) Frey and Richard (Deb) Frey; along with multiple nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and siblings Phyllis, Ron, and Janie; and an infant granddaughter, Kayla Schwantz.

A celebration of life will be held at 12 p.m., on Friday, July 19, 2024, at the Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home in Preston, Minn.  Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the start of the service from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.  The family wishes to thank the Spring Valley Living Care Center, St. Marys Hospital, and St. Croix Hospice staff for the support and care she was given. Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home of Preston is assisting the family.