Nels D. Thompson

Nels Duane Thompson, 86, of Moorhead, MN, died at home on Monday, January 4, 2016. Nels was born July 20, 1929, in Moorhead, MN, to Martin and Alma Aos Thompson. He grew up and attended District 11 country school near Rollag, MN, and later graduated from Hawley High School. Nels served in the U.S. Army before returning to the area and working on the family farm. On March 29, 1953, Nels married Marilyn Berg. Together they made their home on the family farm and started a family. He enjoyed playing guitar and played in several country bands in his younger days. Nels later retired from farming and drove milk truck until the early 1980s, when he took a job at St. Luke’s Hospital now Sanford in Fargo. He fully retired in 1993, but very much enjoyed staying busy. Over the years, he volunteered over 13, 000 hours at Roger Maris Cancer Center. He also enjoyed painting, wood carving, wood burning, and playing guitar, but most of all loved spending time with his family and friends. He will be dearly missed.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Roger Maris Cancer Center.

Nels is survived by his wife, Marilyn; children, Barry Lori of Virginia, MN and Rikki Thor Wagstrom of St. Paul, MN; grandchildren, Ryan Dawn Thompson, Matthew Thompson, Solvi, Soren and Ingrid Wagstrom; and great-grandchildren, Alexa and Jade Thompson.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, David.

Memorial Gathering: Friday, January 8, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., with prayer service at 7 p.m., in Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN.

Memorial Service: Saturday, January 9, at 11:00 a.m., in Rollag Lutheran Church, Rollag, MN.

Interment: Rollag Lutheran Church Cemetery.