Wednesday, January 16, 2019

RUBY "ARLYS" THOMPSON

Ruby A. Thompson,  94, of rural Dorchester, passed away  Monday January 14, 2019 at Marshfield Medical Center, where she had been a patient for the last 4 days, following a sudden and brief illness.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday January 23, 2019 at Zion Ev. Lutheran Church in Stetsonville. Rev. Richard Russow will officiate. Burial will follow in the Abbotsford Cemetery. Visitation will be held that morning at Zion Ev. Lutheran Church from 10:00 AM until the time of service. Pallbearers will be Paul Thompson, Jim Thompson, Gordon Aase, Scott Knudson, Randy Tweet and Jon Meyer.

Ruby, known as Arlys, was born March 6, 1924 on the family farm near Hartland, MN to Ole and Hilda (Rugroden) Knudson. She attended schools in Freeborn County and graduated from Freeborn High School in 1940. In 1943 she graduated from Mankato Teachers College in Mankato, MN with a degree in education. Before her marriage, Arlys taught school in Minnesota. She then resided in Washington D.C. and worked for the Census Bureau and Pentagon. She married Reuel N. Thompson on December 8, 1945 at the Hartland Lutheran Church in Hartland MN. Reuel preceded her in death on April 25, 2018.

Reuel and Arlys farmed in the Gilman area until 1960, when they moved to a farm in rural Stetsonville. They relocated to Dorchester in 1973, where she currently resided.

Arlys was a member of the Stetsonville American Legion Auxiliary. She was an active member of the St. John’s Lutheran Church in rural Gilman, followed by  Zion Ev. Lutheran Church in Stetsonville where she belonged to the Ladies Aid and Mission Circle, taught Sunday School and was involved in quilting.

She enjoyed traveling, reading, sewing, crocheting and playing Scrabble.

Arlys is survived by two daughters: Sharon (Bill) Stecklein of Derwood, MD, Nancy Thompson of Manitowoc, WI and one son, John (Jean) Thompson of DeForest, WI, One Granddaughter, Tracey (Kenny) Gulden and Two Great Granddaughters: Ellen and Megan Gulden, all of Toano, VA,  Sisters: Helen Aase of Kenyon, MN, Ona Meyer of Hartland, MN, and Margaret (Roald) Tweet of Rock Island, IL.

She is further preceded in death by her Parents, Son: Brian Thompson in April of 2012, Brother: Harold Knudson, along with several brothers and sisters in law.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations in honor of Arlys, be given to the family for future designation.

The family would like to express their deep appreciation to friends and neighbors who visited and helped Arlys, when needed, especially following the death of her Husband in April of 2018. A special thank you is extended to Henry and Sharon Blume for sharing meals and for always being there for Arlys and her family. Your friendship, help and support have meant so much to all of us throughout the years.

Hemer Funeral Service of Medford and Rib Lake has been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences can be left at www.hemerfuneralservice.com