Bruce Thompson of Lakeside died Friday, July 26, 2013, in the Whitefish Care Center.
Bruce was born Jan. 15, 1937, in Willmar, Minn., to Bernice and Otto Thompson. As a boy, Bruce moved with his family to Montana where he spent his youth.
He graduated from Oilmont High School in 1955. He briefly attended and played basketball at Montana State University in Missoula before being drafted into the U.S. Army, serving in Hawaii.
Bruce worked in the oilfields of Toole County for many years, Big West Oil in Kevin, and finished his career at the Flying J Refinery in Cut Bank. Bruce was a member of the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers Union.
Bruce served many years as the Kevin delegate to the North Toole County High School Board of Trustees, where he was a longtime community member.
He married Rosella Loomis in 1963, and they would have celebrated their 50th anniversary in October. They met when Rosella was his substitute bowling partner and, as Bruce would say, "she became his regular."
Bruce loved North Toole County hunting and fishing. Many enjoyable days were spent hunting deer and birds as well as ice fishing locally and in Canadian lakes. Bruce was an avid cribbage and poker player. Bruce also loved music and was a fantastic dancer, as he and Rosella won several dance contests.
Bruce and Rosella moved to Lakeside and enjoyed their retirement on Flathead Lake. His ear for music also made Bruce a wonderful singer who always sang while dancing. Later he sang with a choir in Bigfork and the Valley Voices of Kalispell.
He is survived by his wife, Rosella Thompson; son, Tyler Thompson and wife, Katie Thompson, of Lakeside; and son, Troy Thompson of Kalispell. The Thompson grandchildren are Tiffanie Rose Thompson of San Jose, Calif., William, Emma and Jack Thompson of Lakeside, and Gage Thompson of Kalispell. He is also survived by his brother, Tom and wife, Margaret Thompson of Missoula; and sister, Cynthia Salsgiver and husband, Tom Salsgiver of Apollo, Pa.
Bruce was preceded in death by his parents; and son, Tracy Thompson.
A celebration of his life will be held at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, July 31 at Eidsvold Lutheran Church in Somers, with Pastor Val Metropoulos presiding.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials in his name to Eidsvold Lutheran Church or Home Options Hospice c/o Kalispell Regional Healthcare Foundation.
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Bruce was born Jan. 15, 1937, in Willmar, Minn., to Bernice and Otto Thompson. As a boy, Bruce moved with his family to Montana where he spent his youth.
He graduated from Oilmont High School in 1955. He briefly attended and played basketball at Montana State University in Missoula before being drafted into the U.S. Army, serving in Hawaii.
Bruce worked in the oilfields of Toole County for many years, Big West Oil in Kevin, and finished his career at the Flying J Refinery in Cut Bank. Bruce was a member of the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers Union.
Bruce served many years as the Kevin delegate to the North Toole County High School Board of Trustees, where he was a longtime community member.
He married Rosella Loomis in 1963, and they would have celebrated their 50th anniversary in October. They met when Rosella was his substitute bowling partner and, as Bruce would say, "she became his regular."
Bruce loved North Toole County hunting and fishing. Many enjoyable days were spent hunting deer and birds as well as ice fishing locally and in Canadian lakes. Bruce was an avid cribbage and poker player. Bruce also loved music and was a fantastic dancer, as he and Rosella won several dance contests.
Bruce and Rosella moved to Lakeside and enjoyed their retirement on Flathead Lake. His ear for music also made Bruce a wonderful singer who always sang while dancing. Later he sang with a choir in Bigfork and the Valley Voices of Kalispell.
He is survived by his wife, Rosella Thompson; son, Tyler Thompson and wife, Katie Thompson, of Lakeside; and son, Troy Thompson of Kalispell. The Thompson grandchildren are Tiffanie Rose Thompson of San Jose, Calif., William, Emma and Jack Thompson of Lakeside, and Gage Thompson of Kalispell. He is also survived by his brother, Tom and wife, Margaret Thompson of Missoula; and sister, Cynthia Salsgiver and husband, Tom Salsgiver of Apollo, Pa.
Bruce was preceded in death by his parents; and son, Tracy Thompson.
A celebration of his life will be held at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, July 31 at Eidsvold Lutheran Church in Somers, with Pastor Val Metropoulos presiding.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials in his name to Eidsvold Lutheran Church or Home Options Hospice c/o Kalispell Regional Healthcare Foundation.
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