Obituary of Donald Alfred Thompson

Donald Alfred Thompson

(June 30, 1931 - April 13, 2019)

Donald Alfred Thompson of Rosalind, Alberta, passed away on Saturday, April 13, 2019 at the age of 87 years.

Donald was born on June 30, 1931 in Donalda to Hattie and David Thompson.  He was raised between Rosalind, Spruce Coulee, and Kingman.  He had an older sister, Wilma, and three younger siblings, David, Dale and Marion.  He had very fond family memories of his time growing up with his siblings, as well as various aunts, uncles and cousins.
He attended grade school in Rosalind.  As a young man he attended the University of Alberta and was particularly proud to be a part of the men’s choir there.  He then came home to help his father farm and eventually took over the home farm, one mile west of Rosalind. Don loved music and he loved to dance.  He met Lorraine at a singles dance and she remembers him always being a very good dancer, always very easy to dance with.  Don and Lorraine were married on October 25, 1980.
 

One of Don’s greatest joys was his children.  Jon was born in 1981 and Erin in 1983.  Throughout their childhood, he always took his family on extended camping vacations to see various parts of Canada.  He also encouraged them to take music lessons and was an avid attendee of their recitals.
Don loved to walk, particularly in his beloved Battle River Valley.  He spent many happy evenings walking and climbing the hills there, pointing out beavers, birds, and flowers to his family.  He also enjoyed cross-country skiing with his extended family.  He always thoroughly enjoyed music and loved to listen to classical music, opera, folk, and the singing of his family.  He also loved theatre, art, history, reading, and working on the original Rosalind History Book.  He was also deeply involved in creating Rosalind’s fire department.
Don instilled a love of nature, animals, and literature in his children.  Generosity was important to him and always tried to give freely of his time, talents, and resources.
He loved his family and was always concerned about taking great care of them.  He also loved his farm and experiencing life to the fullest.  His greatest pride was his children, their spouses, and eventually his grandchildren.  His love for his six granddaughters, Betsy, Laura, Faith, Rose, Elspeth, and Esmae, was apparent any time that he was with them or spoke of them.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife Lorraine; children Jon (Robyn) of Edmonton, and Erin (Casey) Murphy-Thompson of Rosalind; six grandchildren; and siblings David Jr. (Pat) of Camrose, Dale of Bashaw, Marion (Karl) Benson of Cobble Hill, B.C., and Allan Bowie of Camrose. Donald was predeceased by his father David; mother Hattie; sister Wilma; and sister-in-law Margaret.
 

A funeral service was held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 23, 2019 from the Rosalind Community Hall, with Rev. Deanna Cox officiating. Interment has taken place at the Melville Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, if family and friends so desire, memorial contributions in Donald's memory may be made to the Rosalind United Church.