NICOLLET — Wallace “Wally” Thompson, 85, of Nicollet, died Sunday, November 1, 2009, at Immanuel St. Joseph Hospital in Mankato. Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Friday, November 6, at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Nicollet with Pastor Luke Myslik officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery, with graveside Military Rites conducted by the American Legion Post #510 Honor Guard of Nicollet. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Thursday, November 5 at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home in Nicollet and will continue for one hour prior to the time of the service at the church on Friday. To leave an online condolence or to sign the guestbook for the family go to: www.mvfh.org.

Wallace is survived by his wife of 58 years, Bernice Thompson of Nicollet; sons and daughters-in-law, Gary and Pat Thompson, Glenn and Brenda Thompson, Brian and Lisa Thompson, all of Nicollet; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and a special nephew, Arnold and Elaine Krohn.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Reuben Thompson and sister and brother-in-law, Ruby and Ray Krohn.

Wallace Warren Thompson was born on January 6, 1924, to Jacob Fair and Emma (Ginkel) Thompson in Brighton Township, Nicollet County. He served in World War II, where he was stationed in Adak, Alaska, and served as a X-ray technician. He married Bernice Bode at Immanuel Lutheran Church in rural Courtland on July 1, 1951. He was employed as a substitute mail carrier and school bus driver for several years. Wally was owner and operator of Thompson Construction for 40 years, which was taken over by his sons, Gary and Brian. Wally loved his machinery and cars. In the past few years, he really enjoyed riding around and mowing on his John Deere lawn tractor as well as doing a little excavating with the Bobcat. Wally and Bernice spent several years wintering in Arizona and Texas, with most of those years spent in Texas. Wally very much enjoyed card playing and entertaining himself, family, and friends with his musical talents on the accordion. He was in failing health for the past ten years with Lewy Body. He resided at Hillcrest Nursing Home for three months and the past three months at Pathstone Memory Unit. Wally was a member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, served as head usher and was on the cemetery board of Trinity Lutheran Cemetery. He was also a member of American Legion Post #510 in Nicollet.