ARLENE ELIZABETH THOMPSON, age 82, of Luverne, died Saturday, July 16, 2011, at the Sanford Hospice Cottage in Luverne. She was born May 3, 1929, on the family farm in rural Virgil, SD, to Carl and Martha (Micheel) Gradert. In 1934, Arlene moved with her family to a farm in Ash Creek. In 1938, they moved to a farm Southeast of Luverne. She graduated from Luverne High School in 1947. In 1948, Arlene moved to California, along with Mabel (Tofteland) Overgaard, and worked at Prudential Insurance and Macy's Department Store. In 1949, she moved back to Luverne where she worked at Tri-State Insurance until 1951.
Arlene and Torleif were married on August 26, 1951, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Luverne. After their marriage, the couple farmed southeast of Luverne. In 1989, they moved to Luverne.
She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne; and the LCCW. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, crocheting, quilting, entertaining with family & friends and volunteering at the Luverne VFW. She also enjoyed life on the farm and was actively involved.
Arlene is survived by her husband, Torleif Thompson, Luverne; four children, Warren (Cleone) Thompson, Baltic, SD; Diane (John) Schullo, Bloomington; Jean (Jim) Noonan, Richfield; and Wayne (Mary) Thompson, Luverne; eight grandchildren, Jessy (Eric) Jex, Josh Noonan, Jordan Noonan, Jamie Noonan, Jared Noonan, Courtney Thompson, Nathan Thompson & Brooke Thompson; and two brothers, Eldon (Ronnie) Gradert, Luverne; and Marvin (Donna Lee) Gradert, Terre Haute, IN.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and a grandson, Aaron Thompson, on May 19, 2011.

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