Mary Elizabeth Thompson

To view Mary's funeral service please visit https://vimeo.com/857303108?share=copy Mary’s funeral service will be 10:30 am, Monday, August 21 at Faith Lutheran Church, Valley City. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Mary passed away Thursday, August 17, 2023, in her home surrounded by her family. Mary Elizabeth Fornes was born on the farm home near Hunter, ND, on September 14, 1937. She attended Nome School until the family later moved to Valley City, where she finished her senior year and graduated from Valley City High School. Mary then attended Valley City State College and received her teaching certificate. She married Duane Thompson on September 1, 1957, in Valley City at First Lutheran Church. As they began their life together on the Thomspon farm near Sanborn, ND, Mary began teaching, first, for one year at the one-room Bauer School, then two years at North Central School in Dazey, ND. Starting in 1963, Mary stayed home to raise her three active children and help with the farmwork. You would often see Mary volunteering at church, helping a neighbor, mentoring her dear 4-Hers, driving her children to piano lessons, attending basketball games and track meets as well as many band and choir concerts. Mary loved her family and friends dearly. Mary loved to cook and bake and enjoyed hosting countless birthday parties, holidays and card parties. She was known for her homemade brownies, orange rolls and strawberry pie. If you stopped by Mary and Duane’s home, you would be invited in for great conversation and plenty to eat and drink. Mary had a love for antiques and prided herself in making her home beautiful. Mary had a fun and competitive spirit and loved to challenge you in a game of Scrabble or Bridge. Mary also loved to travel with Duane on their many wonderful adventures throughout the United States. On Mother’s Day in 1994, Mary became a grandmother for the first time and that was her favorite role of all! Mary continued to be blessed with 8 more grandchildren throughout the years. Mary loved to share stories of her amazing grandchildren and attended their many activities and celebrations, beaming with pride. Mary loved being involved in her community. She was a Share The Fun 4-H Club leader for over 40 years, a lifetime member of Anderson Homemakers Club, a member of Bethel Lutheran Church and its WELCA, a long time Board Member and President of the Women’s Division of the North Dakota Winter Show, Assessor for Anderson Township, State Secretary-Treasurer of the North Dakota Rural Letter Carriers Association Auxiliary, Medora volunteer for 20 years and member of the local PEO chapter since 2004. Mary was preceded in death by her parents Eddie and Evelyn (Martin) Fornes, brother, Lawrence, sister-in-law, Delphine, father-in-law, Kenneth Thompson, mother-in-law, Helma (Frahm) and sister-in-law, Janice Thompson. She is survived by her beloved husband of 66 years, Duane, three children Dana (Susan) Thompson, Rochester MN, Deanne (Michael) Lund, Montevideo MN, and Darin (Pebbles) Thompson, Rogers, ND and nine grandchildren, Kathleen Thompson, Tyson (Kalli) and Kaylee Lund, Kennedy (fiancé Marcellus), Matayia, Malachi, Toby, Zendaya and Zaki Thompson. Blessed be her memory.

Mary Elizabeth Thompson

September 14, 1937 - August 17, 2023