Ernie Thompson

Monday, July 11, 2016 2:49 pm

Ernie Thompson, 71, of Cresco died Friday, July 8, 2016, at Regional Health Services of Howard County in Cresco. Memorial services are at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 13, at the United Methodist Church in Cresco. Burial is in Union Prairie Cemetery, rural Decorah. Friends may call Tuesday, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Lindstrom Funeral Home in Cresco and for an hour before services at the church.

Ernest “Ernie” Thompson was born July 25, 1944, in Decorah to Nathan and Irene (Andersen) Thompson. He married Jackie Hovden July 11, 1964, in Decorah; they later divorced. To this union three children were born: Kim, Butch and Chris. He later married Linda Hampe, Nov. 29, 1997, in Cresco.

Ernie started his plumbing career in Cedar Rapids, working for Whitney Pump Service. Later he opened his own business, Thompson Pump Service, in Ridgeway. He also worked for Hawkeye Sanitation and during retirement he drove school bus for the Howard-Winneshiek School District. Ernie was also the fire chief of the Ridgeway Fire Dept. He loved to shoot pool, bowl, and had been in many leagues and tournaments with each sport. Ernie also loved to play cards and if no one was around, he’d play on his Kindle.

Ernie is survived by his wife, Linda, of Cresco; three children: Kim (David) Erickson of Holmen, Wis., Butch (Carmen) Thompson, of Cresco and Chris (Heidi) Thompson of Soda Springs, Idaho; 9 grandchildren; a niece and nephews. He is further survived by Linda’s five children: Justin (Kathie) Green of Cedar Rapids, Nathan (Trista) Metzler of Wapiti, Wyo., Dalin (Chad) Gilles of Cedar Falls, Sarah (Tim) Rasmussen of Exira and Shiloh Green of Decorah; 9 grandchildren; and Linda’s two brothers, Ed (Lonnie) Hampe of Lime Springs and Mick (Jill) Hampe of Henderson, Nev.

Ernie was preceded in death by his parents, Nathan and Irene Thompson; and two sisters, Judy Snyder and Karen Tangeman.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials to the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum.