Maynard Thompson

Minot

Maynard Thompson, 82, Minot, formerly of Upham, ND, passed away Sunday, March 10, 2024, at Trinity Homes in Minot.

October 20, 1941, the day I was born, my mother Lila had gone out to the barn while in labor and milked the cows before she headed to Rugby to have me. I was known to many as Jr. I was a busy child and I loved to work with my hands. Sometimes I was so busy, my dad, Maynard Sr. would give me a 2×4 to pound nails in, take them out, and pound them back into that same piece of board. I have two brothers, Myron and Merlin, and one sister, DiAnn. When Merlin was in school, he brought a friend home named Jerry Jenner. Jerry became a member of the family for life, even staying a year or so after Merlin left home.

Mom cooked us many great meals. We always had peanuts and candy orange slices on the table for a snack and the coffee was always on just in case someone would stop in for a visit. Mom was a good cook and one of my favorites was her Glorified Rice, Turkey Stuffing and Raisin filled cookies and Lefse that she made at Christmas time.

I went to Country school before heading to Upham Public School. There was one time I fondly remember going to the one room country school. I took off for school on a cold winter morning on my horse. I knew my horse knew the way so well. It was a blustery morning, and I put my head down trusting the horse would take me right to school. Well…. when I lifted my head thinking we arrived at the country school, the horse I trusted, had made a circle and we were right back at the barn at home. I graduated from Upham Public School in 1959, and soon headed to NDSCS Wahpeton to receive my degree as a Mechanic. I took my skills and headed back to the farm and fixed a lot on the farm. I also liked to see when I would buy used equipment, how I could put a creative spin on each piece and get a better result out of that piece of equipment. On January 11, 1965, I entered the Army, served a short time and returned home where I was needed on the farm. The farm was always home for me!

On December 31, 1965, I married Ellen Metheny at Zion Lutheran Church, Towner, ND. We had three children, Bryan, born Feb. 18, 1968, Leilani, born Aug. 14, 1970, and Bryce, born May 29, 1972. Things were tough through the 80’s, but with the help of my kids, my dad, and my wife, we made it work. We raised small grains, row crops, cattle, chickens, and we gardened too!

In those years for fun, I was on Doug Groves pit crew and my good buddy, Danny Wolf, and I had lot of fun. Many friendships were made for life at the track. I was also a fan of Donny Schatz, a sprint car driver, and attended many races at the Nodak Speedway through my years.

I spent a lot of time with my uncle, Virgil Kitzman, and had much admiration for him. We spent time playing cards and spent holidays with him and his family, John, Jean, Carol, and Emy Sue! We also had many fun times with Gloria and Dale Manning playing cards or simply having coffee. When it got late, Mom would go grab her wind-up alarm clock, come out to the kitchen, look at the clock on the stove, and Gloria and Dale knew, or any company that is, knew it was time to go home. Little Deep Club Hall had many wonderful parties, Chicken Suppers, and wedding dances. People would drive for miles to come to the Chicken Suppers with fried chicken, homemade mashed potatoes, gravy, and homemade pie. “Oh, the pies!” the women of the club hall would make.

In 1976, Mom and Dad decided it was time to move off the farm to Upham and I led the new house project for the folks. Once Mom and Dad’s house was built, Ellen and I decided to build a home for our family of five. We used some of the lumber from Mom and Dad’s purple farmhouse and with new lumber we built our home.

While farming, I served on the Upham School Board for many years. Served on the Little Deep Township board for almost 60 years and whenever a neighbor would call, I headed over to their place to help them out.

In the 90’s we were blessed with three grandkids, Dylan, “the oldest,” McKenna, “the middle granddaughter,” and McKayla, “the youngest.” We took the grandkids to lots of rodeos and had many sleepovers. I enjoyed taking the kids to Sunday School and going to Bottineau for pizza! In 2009, my youngest grandson, Berandt was born. I always enjoyed going to Washburn, talking farming with him and Eric (my son-in-law), fixing Berandt’s toys, and going down to grab ice cream together.

In the 2000’s I started to work for Farroh Roof and Truss of Minot. I enjoyed working with, “the guys” especially Larry, Terry and Mike. They had me welding, leading many projects, running for parts, and driving the Truss delivery Tractor-Trailer. I also, continued to farm until my late 70’s. I was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Upham, ND. I was part of the choir and served as Elder and Chairman. I decided in August of 2021 it was time to retire and move into Edgewood Vista. My mother lived at Edgewood Vista for quite a few years and thought that is where I would like to live. I appreciated the staff at Edgewood. Amy and Larissa were gals that helped me out a lot and I appreciated them a lot!

I am survived by my son, Bryan (Jill), their son, Dylan (Karissa), and my three great-grandchildren, Prudence, Kayson. and LilaJune, and Bryan’s (Jill) daughters, Mckenna and McKayla; my daughter, Leilani (Eric), their son, Berandt; and my youngest son, Bryce (Angie) and their daughter, Ashley; my brother, Myron (Shirley)Thompson; sister, DiAnn (Bob) Briggs; and my youngest brother, Merlin (Pam) Thompson; close family friend, Jerry (Jackie) Jenner; many nieces and nephews, and many special cousins.

I was preceded in death my folks, Maynard and Lila; my grandparents, aunts and uncles.

Please bring a copied photo to place on the memory board.

Funeral: Monday, March 18, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Upham, ND.

Visitation: Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

Memorials: are preferred to Bethlehem Lutheran Church or Little Deep Cemetery.

The service will be video recorded and available for the public to view on Tuesday, March 19. The video can be accessed by going to the Thompson-Larson Funeral home website: www.thompsonlarson.com

Those wishing to sign the online register and share memories may access the online obituaries section at (www.thompsonlarson.com).

Published by The Minot Daily News, March 15, 2024.