Lillian Thompson

Lillian Thompson, 94, of Fergus Falls, died Sunday, November 23, 2008, at the Broen Memorial Home in Fergus Falls. Lillian Alice Moshus Thompson was born March 12, 1914, at Wakonda, Clay County, South Dakota, the daughter of John and Marie (Olsen) Moshus. Lillian was baptized into the Christian faith at the Methodist Church in Wakonda, SD. She attended the Clay County school system at Wakonda, where the family of nine siblings farmed. In 1929 her family moved to Otter Tail County, Minnesota where they farmed in the French-Carlisle area and later for several years east of Foxhome. Her mother died in 1937 and Lillian continued to keep house for her father and brother, until he retired in 1948, and then moved to Fergus Falls. Some of the old timers may remember Lillian as “Sally” the radio singer who sang on a K.G.D.E program sponsored by the Coast to Coast Store. Her well known theme song was “There is a light shining bright in the window at the end of the lane”.  Her repertoire of Gospel and Western songs delighted many during those depression years. Lillian married Ernest Link of Foxhome at Leesville, Louisiana, on January 21, 1943, where Ernest was serving in the military. Ernest was killed in action at the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium on December 23, 1944. Lillian worked for Jane Thorpe at the yarn shop and also the Bible Book and Gift Shop and Nelson Drug. On July 18, 1953, she married Hilbert L. Thompson at the Foxhome Lutheran Church, where she had been a long time member. In 1958, they built a home on Cabbage Hill on the Otter Tail Lake Road, and lived there thirty years, before moving to Fergus Falls. She was a long time member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls, where she served on their many functions. She was a member of the Senior Citizens, and volunteered there many years.  She was also a life member of the Heimskringla Lodge Sons of Norway and with Hilbert visited their ancestral homes in Norway. Lillian and Herbert were special adopted grandparents for Betty Royal’s kindergarten classes for many years.  Lillian loved children and enjoyed her contact with them. Preceding her in death were her parents; six sisters, Jenny (Oscar) Olaussen, Margaret (Charles) Finnigan, Thora (Leonard) Gorsett, Johanna (Severt) Bergh, Myrtle (Charles) Cihlar, and an infant sister, Evelyn; and two brothers, Ralph and Arnold (Pearl) Moshus. Survivors include her husband, Hilbert, of Fergus Falls; a nephew, Russell Gorsett of Yankton, SD; six nieces: Joann (Jim) Fridgen of Alexandria, MN, Elaine (Ray) Southward of Woodbury, MN, Darlene (Bob) South of Sioux Falls, SD, Kathleen Gorsett of Volin, SD, Eileen (Robert) Headrick, and Beverly Richter.   She is also survived by Betty Royal – a very special friend to both Lillian and Herbert. Visitation:  One hour prior to the service at the Broen Home Service:  10 a.m. Wednesday, at the Light & Life Auditorium of the Broen Memorial Home in Fergus Falls Clergy:  Reverend Paul Nelson and Chaplain Ken Austin Interment:  Oak Grove Cemetery in Fergus Falls Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com