Ardell Thompson

Ardell W. Thompson, 82, of Grove City, died Friday, June 27, 2014 at Cokato Manor in Cokato following an extended illness.
His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 1, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Atwater, with the Rev. Grant Fischer officiating. Burial will be at the Union Cemetery in Atwater, with Military Honors provided by the Samstad-Jensen American Legion Post 375 of Atwater.
Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Monday, June 30, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church and one hour prior to the service on Tuesday. Arrangements are with Peterson Brothers Atwater Funeral Home in Atwater (www.petersonbrothers.com).
Ardell Willard Thompson was born on June 2, 1932 in Litchfield to William and Agnes (Anfinson) Thompson. He grew up in the Kandiyohi and Atwater area. He attended School District 86 and graduated from Atwater High School in 1950. After graduation he worked at Home State Bank in Kandiyohi. In 1953, he was called into the Army for the Korean conflict and served through 1954.
He married Elizabeth (Betty) L Hallberg on September 3, 1955 at Ebenezer Lutheran Church, Kandiyohi. They lived in Kandiyohi until 1963, when he was called to active service in the Army. He and his family lived at Fort Lewis, Washington; Amman, Jordan; Havre de Grace, Maryland; and in 1967, he was sent to Vietnam while the family lived in Kandiyohi. In 1968, he returned from Vietnam and the family moved to Fort Dix, New Jersey and then to Worms, Germany. He moved with his family to Atwater in 1973 after leaving active military service and entered the Army Reserves. Soon after moving to Atwater, they owned and operated Wardrobe Cleaners in Willmar and Betty's Gift Shop in Atwater. He worked at the U.S. Post Office in Willmar and in 1985 he was appointed postmaster of the Blomkest Post Office and in 1987 he was appointed postmaster of the Bird Island Post Office. He retired in 1992 from the Post Office as postmaster and the Army Reserve at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was a Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient.
He served as the Mayor of Atwater, Commander of the Samstad-Jensen American Legion Post #375 in Atwater, Union Cemetery Board, Alumni Association, AARP Tax Aide volunteer, and numerous positions at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Atwater. He was selected as the Atwater Good Neighbor of the Year in 1999.
They enjoyed traveling to many domestic and foreign destinations. In 2002, his wife Betty passed away.
He married Lynne (McKenzie) Palm on November 5, 2005. They lived near Grove City and continued with his enjoyment of traveling to various destinations including several trips to Arizona and Colorado.
He is survived by his wife, Lynne Thompson of Grove City; two sons: Keith (and Margaret) Thompson of Raymond, and Kevin Thompson of New London; a daughter: Karen Thompson of Atwater; a stepdaughter: Heidi Palms of Minneapolis; a stepson: David (and Marcy) Palm of Fort Collins, Colorado; grandchildren: Joshua (and Kathy) Stillwell, Terry Coughlin, JonTaylor Coughlin, Jacob Palm, and Emelia Palm; great-grandchildren: Cody Stillwell, Cole Stillwell, Carsen Stillwell, and Madisen Stillwell; one great-great-grandchild: Trace Weller-Stillwell; two brothers: Terrance (and Audrey) Thompson of Atwater, and Kinsley (and Karan) Thompson of St. Michael; sister-in-law: Sylvia Thompson of Atwater; several nieces and nephews; and other friends and relatives.
He was preceded in death by his wife: Betty; his parents; and two brothers: Oscar and Wesley.

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