Dorothy M. Thompson, 89

Dorothy Muriel Larson was born July 2, 1923, in Red Wing, Minn., to Victor and Clara Ruebke Larson. She married William B. "Bill" Thompson on April 8, 1944, forever joining together the Larson and Thompson families. Dorothy was the last of that generation to pass on Dec. 28, 2012, of natural causes, at Potter Ridge Assisted Living in Red Wing, where she resided the past month.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, on Nov. 25, 2012; her twin brother, Dr. Donald Larson; her sister Helen O'Connor; her sisters-in-law, Carol Larson, Elaine Larson, Eloise Thompson, Elinor Johnson, and Ruth Thompson; and her brothers-in-law, Frank "Gene" Thompson, Lloyd Thompson, Curt Johnson, Tom O'Connor and Ernest Mundle.

Throughout her life, Dorothy grieved and struggled to accept out-of-turn deaths like that of Gene (killed in World War II), Eloise, and nephew, Dale Mundle, who died at 17. Memories are all that now remain of precious days long gone.

She is survived by her five children, Lynn (Don) Henn of Rochester, Kay Thompson of Minneapolis, Laurie (Jeff) Frost of Hager City, Wis., John Thompson of Red Wing, and Julie (Jim) Wright of Red Wing; nine grandchildren; and four great-granddaughters, along with devoted nieces and nephews.

Dorothy grew up on a farm on Prairie Island and attended the one-room school there for the primary grades, graduating from Red Wing High School in 1942. She worked at Red Wing Shoe Company prior to her husband's enlistment during WWII and made her home in New York City for a few months while Bill was in training. After the war, Dorothy and Bill returned to Red Wing and eventually moved into her sister's neighborhood in Burnside, where they raised their family. She was employed as a "lunch lady" in the Red Wing school district from 1972 until her retirement in 1986, a job she loved. She was also active at St. Paul's Lutheran church in her Ladies Circle.

Dorothy was a devoted daughter and wife, a vigilant mother, and a patient grandmother. She was a tender and generous aunt and a feisty, fun-loving friend, hostessing nearly every day in her home or at her lake place. She was most content at home but was a good sport with her wanderlust husband who, map in hand, coaxed her along across the country and the world.

Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, with Reverend Kristen Schlauderaff officiating. Visitation will be for 1 hour prior to the service. Interment at Burnside Cemetery will be April 8, 2013. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred.

Arrangements handled by Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.

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