This year, a local couple shares the District 241 Citizen of the Year award for their work not only at home, but also in South America.

Dr. Thoburn &uot;Toby&uot; and Marge Thompson were recently recognized as the Citizens of the Year. They were nominated for the honor by Glen Parsons of Albert Lea, a fellow church member, who wrote, &uot;They are outstanding examples of what our children’s role models should be.&uot;

&uot;For years they’ve given selflessly to the world as medical missionaries in Bolivia, South America, served as a major surgeon and nurse here in Albert Lea, as well as serving on numerous church councils and boards at the local, state and national levels. They are highly respected speakers at numerous conferences each year in both the medical world as well as the spiritual world. They are involved in many service organizations and functions in the community as well. They share their faith every day by living as examples to us all. They do it with enthusiasm and enjoyment which inspires others,&uot; Parsons wrote.

Toby Thompson has served on advisory committees for community housing, chemical dependency, HIV/AIDS and hospice. He teaches on global health issues, is a lay member of the Ordained Ministry Minnesota Conference, medical director at the Albert Lea Good Samaritan Center, active member of the Albert Lea United Methodist Church, promoter of the endowment ENCOUNTER with Christ in Latin America and the Caribbean and is a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity.

Marge Thompson has served as president of the United Methodist Women, is active in the League of Women Voters, American Association of University Women, is a member of several women’s groups, is an active member of the Albert Lea United Methodist Church and is a promoter of the endowment ENCOUNTER with Christ in Latin America and the Caribbean. She is also a former member of the District 241 Board of Education.

&uot;Marge and Toby have been wonderful parents and teachers to their four children, all of whom are successful doctors, educators and professional people themselves,&uot; Parsons wrote.

&uot;Please know that both Marge and Toby are warm, caring, committed leaders in our community, who are known far and wife because of the generous ways they have always reached out to others and have lived their faith,&uot; he added.