Myrtle Thompson

Myrtle Thompson, 73, of B reckenridge , MN , died September 2, 2008 at her home in Breckenridge.

Her funeral will be held on Friday, September 5, at 10:30 AM at the United Methodist Church , in Breckenridge, with Pastor Terry Tilton officiating.

Visitation will be Thursday, September 4, 2008 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM at Joseph Vertin & Sons Funeral Home, Breckenridge , MN . There will also be visitation for one hour prior to the funeral at the church.

Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery , Breckenridge.

Myrtle is survived by her children: Nancy and Rick Froemke, Wahpeton, ND; Paul and Lori Sorum, Breckenridge, MN; Bruce and Robyn Sorum, Horace, ND; Linda “Punky” Meyer and her special friend, Dean Overby, Wahpeton, ND. Her step-children: Gene and Gayle Thompson, Breckenridge, MN; Richard and Candice Thompson, Moorhead, MN; Jane and Rex Kulla, Maple Grove, MN; Wanda and Larry Hutchinson, Eagan, MN; Her 16 grandchildren: Emily, Jason, Amy, Erica, Becky, Kayla, Justin, Christina, Jacob, Jessi, Brittney, Todd, James, Travis, Robby and Jenna; Her 3 great-grandchildren: Mady, Payton and Carson; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by: Her parents: Newton and Avis Kegley; her husband: Richard “Dick” Thompson; Her two daughters: Kathryn Ann and Carol Rae; Her brothers: Carl, Earl, Lyle and Kenneth; Her sisters: Prudence, Bernice, Harriet and Lois

Myrtle was born on April 22, 1935 on a farm north of Nashua , MN , the youngest of nine children born to Newton and Avis (Nendick) Kegley. At the age of five Myrtle moved with her family to Tenney , MN . She attended school in Tenney and later in Campbell , MN . Myrtle loved growing up in Tenney and often spoke of roller skating, dancing and carrying water from the town pump to home while living there. She did a lot of babysitting during her school years and also worked for other families in the Tenney area. In 1953 she moved to Breckenridge and worked at St. Francis Hospital in the X-Ray department, a job she had fond memories of. She also worked at the Rex Café in Wahpeton, ND. Myrtle later moved to Fargo and Grand Forks , ND , where she worked at various places as a waitress, and also as a clerk at dime stores and grocery stores.

In 1954, Myrtle was married to John Sorum in Grand Forks . To this union six children were born, of which two died in infancy. They lived in Grand Forks and later moved to Santiago , MN . In 1971 they moved to Breckenridge , MN . In Breckenridge, Myrtle worked at the Rock Garden Bar and Earl’s Bar for 8 ½ years.

Myrtle was married to Richard “Dick” Thompson on September 10, 1975 at Milbank , SD. Myrtle and Dick and their blended family made their home in Breckenridge. Dick preceded her in death on September 17, 1994. Myrtle continued living in Breckenridge.

Myrtle, always an upbeat person, was willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it. She was always there for her neighbors, family and friends. Holiday meals were important to Myrtle and she often invited friends and acquaintances into her home that would have otherwise spent the holiday alone. She also enjoyed planning family reunions and staying connected with her nieces and nephews.

Myrtle wasn’t above pulling a joke on someone but was also big enough to take a joke pulled on her. She was quick witted and known to speak her opinions and offer her advice. She enjoyed playing cards, reading, crocheting, doing picture puzzles and making small quilts for her grandchildren. She always had time for her grandchildren and loved playing board games with them. Myrtle always had the coffee pot on and she truly enjoyed when people would drop in for a cup and conversation.