Mary B. Thompson

Mary B. Thompson, age 84, of Sioux Fall, SD, formerly of O'Neill, passed away Saturday, Feb. 7, 2004, at Southridge Healthcare Center in Sioux Falls.

Visitation was held Monday, Feb. 9, 2004, beginning at 6pm, with a Liturgical Wake service at 7pm at the George Boom Funeral Home in Sioux Falls, SD.

Funeral services were held at 2pm on Tuesday, Feb 10, 2004, at the George Boom Funeral Home in Sioux Falls, SD, with interment at Hills of Rest Memorial Park in Sioux Falls, SD.

Mary, the daughter of Joseph and Frances (Volwiler) Gokie, was born July 31, 1919, in O'Neill. She attended grade school and graduated from St. Mary's Academy in O'Neill. She taught elementary school for one year before beginning her seamstress career at Beverly's in Norfolk. Throughout her life she took great pride in sewing and altering both for her family and professionally. One of her proud accomplishments was the wedding dress she sewed for her daughter-in-law.

Mary married J.T. Thompson on June 25, 1945, in O'Neill. To this union three sons were born: Richard, Robert, and Michael.

She was a member of St. Theresa Catholic Church and an active member of the SD Civil Air Patrol for nearly 30 years. She was squadron finance officer. She and her husband became communication officers for the state of South Dakota. In 1973, they won second place in the nation for communication. They continued to operate the base station our of their home as well as a mobile station at specific locations to which they were called until 2001, when she was no longer able to perform her duties because of her progressing Alzheimer's disease.

Mary is survived by her husband, J.T. of Sioux Falls; three sons and spouses, Richard and Mary, Robert and Wanda, and Michael and Patty; nine-great-grandchildren; one sister, Margaret Keefer of O'Neill and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; five brothers, Carol, Conrad, Leo, Clarence and Joe; and two sisters, Theresa and Regina.