Darwin Thompson, 1924-2014

Published 9:36 am Monday, December 1, 2014

Memorial services for Darwin R. Thompson, 90, of Fairmont will be at a later date with inurnment in South Dakota. Darwin passed away peacefully Thursday morning, Nov. 27, 2014, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Fairmont. The Lakeview Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Fairmont is in charge of arrangements.

Darwin Rude Thompson was born in Flandreau, S.D., on Sept. 21, 1924, the son of Harris and Josephine (Rude) Thompson. He was raised in Flandreau and Peever, S.D.  He graduated from Peever High School in June of 1942. After graduating he spent his time in Seattle, working in the shipyards helping build ships for World War II.

On Aug. 3, 1943, Darwin enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After training in San Diego as a signalman he was assigned to the first marine division and was shipped off to the South Pacific where he was part of the battles at Pelileu and Okinawa. For wounds he received at Pelileu, Darwin was awarded the Purple Heart. He received an honorable discharged from the Navy on April 16, 1946.

On Sept. 21, 1945, Darwin was united in marriage to Joyce Cardwell. To this union four children were born, two sons and two daughters. Darwin held numerous skilled labor jobs across southern Minnesota. He finally ended up in Alden where he worked for Streeter Industries for 14 years. Darwin retired in 1986 after suffering a heart attack.  He and Joyce lived in Flandreau for a number of years before moving to Fairmont to be closer to their daughters.

Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Joyce Thompson; four children, Denny (Jo) Thompson of Spirit Lake, Iowa, Jeane (Bruce) Rudy of Fairmont, Linda Andino of Fairmont and Doug (Thelma) Thompson of Minot, N.D.; four grandchildren; and two great-granddaughters.

Darwin was preceded in death by his parents Harris and Josephine Thompson and his brother, Harlan Thompson.