Ronald "Ron" Thompson

Ronald “Ron” Thompson, age 71, of Ortonville, MN, passed away on Sunday, June 11, 2023, at his home.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ortonville, MN. Visitation will be held on Monday, June 19, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service beginning at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. Interment will be at Mound Cemetery in Ortonville.

The service will be livestreamed and recorded and will be viewable at the bottom of this page.

Ronald Ervin Thompson was born on October 25, 1951, in Ortonville, MN, to Ervin and Arlys (Konstant) Thompson. He was baptized at Eidskog Lutheran Church. Ron grew up in the Ortonville area and graduated from Ortonville High School with the Class of 1969. He was active in FFA, track, class plays, and in his words, “girl watching”. Ron showed dairy heifers at county and state levels with Happy Hustlers 4-H Club.

Leaving Ortonville for a little while, Ron made his home in St. Paul, MN, where he managed a gas station/convenience store. He later moved to Windom, MN, and worked for a beef setup.

On September 16, 1972, Ron was united in marriage with Marlyce Grega at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Warren, MN. As a couple, God called Ron and Marlyce to work where God put them. They moved to Correll, MN, and Ron worked as a herdsman for a Polled Hereford company. He also worked at Flanery’s in Milbank, SD, for a time. Eventually, they settled on Otrey Lake where they farmed the land, raised Polled Hereford cattle, as well as their three children. This was God’s Heaven on earth. Ron worked construction with Hasslen Construction, Vollmer Brothers, and Lake Courts Construction.

Always active in Trinity Lutheran Church, Ron was confirmed there when he was young, was a counselor with Active Christian Teens, taught Sunday School and Catechism, and was active with Lutheran Youth Fellowship.  He also served on the Board of Elders, Evangelism, Stewardship, and as president of the Trinity Lutheran Church congregation. Ron continuously helped the church in any way he was able.

Ron also served as Chairman for the Otrey Township Board and was a school board member for Ortonville Schools for 9 years. He was once again humbled and honored when recognized as Farm Family of the Year 2022.

Although Ron fought an extended battle with cancer, treatment induced diabetes, and cancer induced organ failure, he was acutely aware of the many blessings and gifts he received. One of these being the ability to make decisions for his own funeral and guidance for the remaining decisions he left to his wife and kids. Although he wrote the facts of his own obituary, his family writes this in honor and memory of him. Ron was the unique combination of selfless beyond measure and stubborn beyond belief. His humility was an endearing quality, and you always received his patient and calm nature (unless you were one of his kids and crossed a line or didn't listen). He was the last one in line and the first one to help. He would always offer one-liners and the best advice. He taught his family the difference between needs and wants, and taught them greed and selfishness are not to be in their nature. He taught them the Bible, introduced them to Christ, and believed two became one in marriage. His grandkids and his great-grandchildren were his energy. When it came to his grandkids, whether by blood or by marriage, it made no difference. Two became one. They are his family. Seeing them enjoy the farm and share in his love of everything God has to offer made him proud and grateful. He was a man of few words, but many thoughts. Although you wouldn't catch him watching anything but Westerns, he somehow managed his own version of “P.S. I Love You”. He wanted his family and friends to know, more than anything else, "God is Good." In the process of planning his service, he wanted his friends and family to know their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and to go to church. He is in his Father's Home. He is loved.

Ron is survived by his wife of 50 years, Marlyce Thompson of Ortonville, MN; children: Matthew (Jessica) Thompson of Stacy, MN; Elizabeth (Jason) Windingstad of New London, MN; and James (Nicole) Thompson of Ortonville, MN; grandchildren: Kameryn, Kaleb, Kennedy, Zachary, Kalyn (Cameron), Dylan, Addyson, Hayle, and Charlotte; great-grandchildren: Brooklyn and Avery; mother, Arlys Thompson; sisters: Marilyn (Arden) Kraft and Lori (Michael) Martinek; brother, William (Linda) Thompson; along with many nieces, nephews, and friends.

God is Good.

He was preceded in death by two angel babies; his father, Ervin Thompson, his in-laws, John and Mae Grega; and his sister-in-law, Jane Grega.