Helen D. Thompson

Reno, Nev.

Helen Dolores Thompson, 95, Reno, NV, formerly of Minot and Velva, ND, died Friday, February 27, 2026, in a Reno, NV hospital.

Helen was born December 9, 1930, in McKenzie County near Arnegard, ND, the daughter of Harry and Maren Josephine (Jorgens) Anderson. She was raised and educated in Arnegard until the family moved to Lake Park, MN. She graduated from Lake Park Consolidated School District in 1947. Following graduation, Helen stayed at the school, working in the office as secretary for the superintendent, until moving to Minot, ND.

Helen was united in marriage to Orlin B. Thompson of Velva, ND on October 18, 1949, in the Lutheran parsonage in Hitterdal, MN. They moved to Velva, ND in 1950 and made their home on a farm North of Velva, where along with raising their four children they grew small grains and sunflowers. She held various jobs in Velva and Minot, including Verendrye Electric Cooperative and Partners Life Insurance Company until 1979 when she started at the newly founded Souris Valley Care Center, Velva. She continued to work there for eleven years, retiring as office manager in December 1990.

Following retirement, Helen and Orlin enjoyed traveling and spending winters in Arizona, then Nevada. They moved to Minot in 2005 and then in 2013 they became residents at The Wellington. Orlin died on August 25, 2015. In 2017, Helen moved to Reno, NV to be nearer her daughters where she resided at Mariella of Reno Assisted Living.

Helen was an associate member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Reno, NV, a longtime member of Oak Valley Lutheran Church in Velva, ND where she taught Sunday school and High School Bible class, sang in the church choir, held offices in the ALCW and Circles, served on the church council and Altar Guild. She was also a member of the Greater Velva Lutheran Parish Board, North Prairie Farmers Union, Velva Senior Citizens, and 7th District Democratic-NPL Organization, where she held several offices. She was an activist in the Cancer Crusade in 1976 and served as a U.S. Census Enumerator.

Helen enjoyed doing puzzles, square dancing, sewing, weaving and reading. She was an avid card player, especially pinochle. She loved spending time with her family and will be truly missed.

Helen’s loving family includes her children Terrence (Eileen) Thompson, Huntingburg, IN, Laurel (Cary) Lindstrom, Reno, NV, Rachel (Steve) Thoroughman, Canby, OR and Orlyn Anne (Frank) Schenk, Reno, NV, grandchildren Carmon (Julie) Titus, Kristin Rademacher, Benjamin (Anne) Thompson, Cody Lindstrom, Maren (Josh) Knopp, Vincent Thoroughman, Olivia (Alasdair) Henderson, Owen and Trent Schenk, great-grandchildren Samantha, Josh (Lindsey) and Ashlie Kerr, Ailisha and Keegan Titus, CJ Rademacher, Layne, Kaden, and Penelope Thompson, Twig and Juniper Lindstrom, Charlie, Arthur, and Toby Knopp and 7 great-great-grandchildren along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, husband of 65 years Orlin, granddaughter Kimberli (Robert) Kerr, brothers Harold and Robert, sisters C. Evelyn, Irene, Mabel and Gertrude, sister-in-law Agnes Anderson, and brothers-in-law F.R. Wollach, Jack Potter, Andrew Norgard, and Rodney Johnson.

Celebration of Helen’s Life: 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Oak Valley Lutheran Church, Velva. To view a livestream of the service or share memories and condolences access her obituary page at www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com

Interment: Velva Community Cemetery, Velva

Visitation: Friday, March 13th from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

Memorials are preferred to Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Reno, NV and Oak Valley Lutheran Church, Velva.

Published by The Minot Daily News, March 10, 2026.