Memorial Service for Roger V. Thompson, age 83 of Haynes, ND, will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, March 14, 2011 at the Hettinger Lutheran Church. Pastor Kate Dettmann will officiate and burial will take place at the ND Veterans Cemetery in the Spring.

Special music will be provided by Jill Sailer and Granddaughters, Erin Larson, Danielle Rosewaren and Kelly Larson Serving as

Honorary Casketbearers are Oray Austin, Delbert Woodley, Howard Nelson, Melvin Eggebo, Dorwin Howe and Jerry Sailer.

Roger Vernon Thompson was born on August 28, 1927 on the family farm, located south of Hettinger. He was the fourth of five children born to Anna K. (Goulderman) and Andrew A. Thompson. He was a first generation North Dakotan, since both his mother and father emigrated from Denmark. He grew up on the family farm and went to Hettinger Elementary School, completing the sixth grade.

On October 27, 1944, at the age of 17, Roger joined the United States Navy as a Seaman Second Class at Little Creek, Virginia. Roger was stationed at the US Naval Base in Little Creek, VA and on the USS Schmitt. While in the Navy, Roger was awarded the American Area Campaign medal, EOR-African Mid East Area Campaign medal, a Good Conduct medal, and a World War II Victory Medal. He was honorably discharged from the Navy as a Seaman Apprentice on December 5, 1947, having served in the navy for three years, one month, and 9 days. After leaving the Navy, Roger returned home to Hettinger, ND to work on the family farm.


Roger met the love of his life, Phyllis Gordon, at Fran's Café in Hettinger on February 27, 1956. They were united in marriage on May 19, 1956, in Hettinger, ND at Ken and Fran Thompson's home, a brother of Roger's. The newlyweds moved to the family homestead, farming and ranching with Roger's father, for the first 10 years of marriage. Three daughters and a son, were born to Roger and Phyllis during this time. Cheryl Anne arrived in 1957, as an early birthday present for Roger, followed by Don Kelly in 1959, with Scotti Jean following in 1961 and Shelly Kay in 1965.


Roger and Phyllis moved to their own farm and ranch in Hettinger, located a mile east of the family home place, in June 1966. Roger had a great fondness for his Hereford cattle, horses, and dogs. Roger had a wry wit and sense of humor, and enjoyed teasing people. Roger enjoyed telling others that his Hereford cattle tasted better than "those black cattle". Roger and Phyllis resided on their farm until April 1990, when Roger retired from farming and ranching. They then moved to their current residence in Haynes, ND that same year. During his retirement, Roger enjoyed doing leatherwork, playing pinochle, dice and other games, feeding his pet squirrel, and working on his tractors. He enjoyed going to bull sales and auctions, looking for a good find.

Roger passed away suddenly on March 10, 2011 at his home in Haynes.


Grateful for having shared his live are his wife, Phyllis, of Haynes, ND; one son, Don (Michele) Thompson, Hettinger, ND; three daughters, Cherrie Thompson, Hettinger, ND, Scotti (Charles) Larson, McVille, ND and Shelly (Dennis) Clontz, Clinton, UT; three grandchildren, Erin Larson, Grand Forks, ND, Danielle (Shannon) Rosewaren, Carrington, ND and Kelly Larson, McVille, ND; one great grandchild, Hayley Rosenwaren, Carrington, ND; one brother, Alvin Thompson, Anaheim, CA and one sister, Mildred Eggebo, Hettinger, ND, and numerous nieces, nephews, and many friends.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Anna (Goulderman) Thompson, an infant sister and one brother, Kenneth Thompson