Neal E. Thompson

Neal E. Thompson, 80, of Cresco, died Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016 at the Regional Health Services of Howard County in Cresco.

A memorial service will be held 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua with the Rev. Lonnie Wilkerson presiding. Friends may greet the family from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the church on Saturday. Private family burial will take place on a later date. Hugeback Johnson Funeral Home – Olson Chapel in Nashua is entrusted with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to the Little Brown Church in Nashua. Online condolences for Neal’s family may be left at hugebackfuneralhome.com. Neal Eldon Thompson was born March 8, 1935 in Lucas County to Otis and Blanche (Carleton) Thompson. He was one of nine children.

He married Phyllis (Cagley) on Dec. 18, 1955 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. They were married for 56 years. Neal and Phyllis renewed their marriage vows twice at the Little Brown Church; once on Aug. 1, 1999 after 45 years, and again on Aug. 7, 2011 after 56 years of marriage. They had five children.

Neal worked odd jobs from farm hand and gas station attendant to driving a semi to support his family. Both Neal and Phyllis enjoyed working at the fairgrounds when there were stock-car races.

He served in the U.S. Navy and was a member of the Little Brown Church. Neal enjoyed gardening, canning, yard work, playing cards and watching football.

Neal is survived by one son, Neal Allen Thompson of North Washington; four daughters, Elizabeth Kasemeier (Ron Jensen) of Cresco, Susan (Alvin) Klink of Marble Rock, Peggy (Paul) High of North Washington, Dawn (Michael L.) Istre of Cypress, Texas; 23 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Claude Earl Thompson of Charles City, Otis Lyle Thompson of Jefferson, David Thompson of Topeka, Kan.; one sister, Rosemary Dawson of Streetman, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis; parents Otis and Blanche (Carleton) Thompson; two brothers Glen and Albert Ray; and two sisters, Irene and Doris.