ANTLER - Gabriel Sofus Thompson, 88, Antler, died Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019, at a Minot hospital.
He was born Nov. 10, 1931, on the family farm in Sherman Township, Bottineau County, to Sofus and Selma (Feland) Thompson. He was raised on the family farm and attended grade school at the Sherman Township School. He graduated from Antler High School in 1949.
Gabriel entered the U.S. Army on April 8, 1953. He served as a Corporal with the Signal Corps. He was honorably discharged April 7, 1955.
While in the service, Gabriel was united in marriage to Donna Kissner on July 30, 1953, in Fort Marmouth, N.J. They moved to White Sands, N.M., where he was stationed tracking missiles.
After his military service, they moved back to Antler, to the family farm. He farmed and ranched in Wheaton Township where he purchased land and rented other land. They returned to the Sherman Township homestead in 1974. Although he was retired, he farmed and ranched right up until the end.
Gabriel was a member of the Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church, Antler, and the George T. Taylor American Legion Post #52, Mohall. He served on the Antler Coop Elevator Board and the Bottineau County Social Services Board, and previously served as a Boy Scout troop leader. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and attending the sporting events of his grandchildren. He enjoyed helping Donna with their gardens, and the most common phrase on the Thompson Farm if something broke, "Well, Grandpa can fix it."
Family: wife of 66 years, Donna Thompson, Antler; son, Gabriel (Tracie) Thompson Jr., Antler; daughter, Kimberly Thompson, Minot and Antler; son-in-law, James Kammert, Rapid City, S.D.; grandchildren, Wyatt (Allison) and Talon (Alexis Heinle) Thompson, Colten (Taylor Best) Haider, Jamie Thompson, Katie and Alan Kammert; sisters, Verdine (Newman) Jelleberg, Bottineau, Sylvia (Virgil) Christianson, Carson City, Nev., Arlys (Gary) Mathis, Gonvick, Minn., and Twylah Larson, Fargo; brothers-in-law, Richard Pederson, Minot, and Terry (Janet) Kissner, Westhope, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Gabriel was preceded in death by: his parents, Sofus and Selma Thompson; daughter, Valorie Kammert; brother, Justin Thompson; sisters, Inez Thompson, Swanhild Morrison, Marlene Pederson; brothers-in-law, Herbert Newman and Ernest Jelleberg; nephews, Brian and Kevin Pederson, Michael Morrison; sisters-in-law, Darlene Elven, Shirley Kissner and Jean Kissner; brothers-in-law, Lyle, Verland and Leonard Kissner.
Funeral: 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019, at Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church, rural Antler.
Burial: Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church Cemetery, rural Antler.
Sharing of Memories Service: 5 p.m., Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, at the church.
Visitation: 2 to 7 p.m., Friday, at Brose Funeral Home, Mohall.
Memorials: Memorials preferred to the George T. Taylor American Legion Post, #52, Mohall, or to the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, Minot, or to an organization of the donor's choice.