Howard Raymond Thompson, the son of H. Raymond and Rachel (Braaten) Thompson was born on March 3, 1940 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Rugby, North Dakota.  He died at the age of 77 years on Friday, October 20, 2017 at the Heart of America Care Center in Rugby, North Dakota.

Howard was raised on the family farm and attended country school at Spruce Hill for 8 years.  He was baptized and confirmed at Ox Creek Lutheran Church, which was south of Rolette.  He always attended Sunday school with his family.  He graduated from Wolford High School in 1958 and went on to receive his rural Teachers Certificate from Minot Teachers College.  He also spent 2 years at Wahpeton Trade School.  It was during this time that he was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor and had surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota in 1961.  He survived and after a long recovery, he worked in Rolette, North Dakota.  Howard traveled with his parents to California to visit his sister, Irma and her husband Bob Weaver.  At that time, his parents and he decided to sell the farm in North Dakota and moved to live and work in California. Howard worked at Hertz Rent a Car for 23 years and received several plaques of recognition of Distinguished Employee and for Honesty.  He retired in 2002 and returned to North Dakota to make his home in Rugby.  He enjoyed going to the Senior Citizens Center and making new friends.  He was a faithful member of Trinity Lutheran Church in California and even sang in the Norwegian choir at Seaman’s Church in California.  After moving back to North Dakota, he was active in Wolford Lutheran Church and a generous giver with his time. 

Some of Howard’s interests in life was his music, singing country western songs, loved going to music in the park in Rugby.  He and his sisters sang in the back seat of the family car, as they drove to visit family and friends.  He sang all of his life, at home, church and special gatherings.  In California, he was in a bowling league and they won many trophies.  He attended the Norsk Hostfest for many years and was a member of the Sons of Norway in Rugby.  He loved watching all sports on TV.  People were so important to him and visiting others became a priority.  He followed his parents example by being an encouragement to others, with his visits and cards sent to family members and friends.  He had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh.  Thank you God for Howard’s life and his love to us.

Howard is survived by his sisters, Irma Karen (Robert) Weaver of Spearfish, SD and Darlene Louise Gilje of Exeter, MO; nieces, Carrie Stamper, Carla Adams, Cathy Bauer, Diana Lethen and Pauline Taylor; great nieces, nephews; other relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother-in-law, Lowell Gilje; grandparents, Hans and Mable Braaten and Herbert and Carrie Thompson; aunts and uncles, Esther and Melvin Thompson and Gilmore and Marie Ulvestad; cousin, Ruth Ann Fletschock; and niece, Carrie Stamper’s baby boy, Connor.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 27, 2017 at Wolford Lutheran Church with burial in Ox Creek Cemetery, rural Rolette.  Rev. Barb Haugerud, officiating.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday at the Anderson Funeral Home in Rugby and will continue for one hour prior to the time of services at the church on Friday.