Ellie Thompson (nee Kettleson), 89 of St. Francis, Minnesota, passed peacefully into eternal life on March 11, 2018.
She was born on December 30, 1928 in Hortonia, Wisconsin. Ellie grew up in Manawa, Wisconsin, daughter of Mary and Theodore Kettleson. She was the eldest of 13 children, five of whom died at an early age. This was a profound heartbreak for Ellie and she kept her remaining siblings – Don, Jerry, JoAnne, Kathy, Tommy, Suzy, and Pat, always close to her and close to her heart. She passed less than a year after her beloved husband of 65 years, Earl Thompson. Ellie had a personal and abiding walk with God and was Roman Catholic – who constantly prayed for others. By nature, she was incredibly generous with her time, treasures and talents. Even as a child and throughout her life she was like a mother to so many of her friends and loved ones. Ellie was also a great cook, tended to her beautiful flower gardens and always had a delicious home baked cookie or treat for the kids in the neighborhood. Her kitchen table was like the center of the universe, and her immaculate house was filled with love and beauty. Ellie began working as a child and continued until her mid 70s. She was a switchboard operator at the Falk Corporation, a waitress par excellence at the historic Boulevard Inn and was the house Mom and caretaker for the boys of the Hartfel House in Menomonee Falls in addition to other group homes for many years. Ellie made friends everywhere she went, even at the very end of her life. Eleanor Marie Thompson was one of a kind and will live on in the hearts of her many friends and family.
Eleanor is survived by Kendall Thompson of Oconomowoc, WI; Mary (Gary) Thrash of Andover, MN; Pamela Thompson (Todd Christensen) of Santa Fe, NM and Bradley (Deb) Thompson of Wrightstown, WI; grandchildren, Kaleb Thompson, Brandon (Kali) Thrash, Tyler Thrash, Kendra Ruffalo, Ava Thompson and Trae Thompson; and great-grandchild, Jackson Thrash. In addition to Earl and her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings: Larry, Burton, John-Francis, Jimmy, Barbara Rae, Jerry and Patrick, her sister in-law Kathleen Raasch and her husband Bill, and brother-in-law Lee Deates, and her mother and father-in-law, Clara and Elmer Thompson.
Friends and relatives are invited to St. Patrick’s Parish, N5705 County Rd. T, New London, WI 54961 on Saturday April 14 for a celebration of Ellie’s life. Visitation will be from 9-11 a.m. A service will be held at 11 a.m. followed by the burial. There will also be a luncheon to follow at Shamrock Heights Golf & Supper Club at N5525 Old Hwy 45, New London, WI 54961.
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:5-7