Plymouth, Minnesota
Thompson, Elizabeth R. "Betty" Passed away peacefully at North Residential Hospice on Saturday, August 30, 2008, one month short of her 88th birthday. Preceded in death by parents, Dr. Charles and Millicent Rudolph; brothers, Charles, John, and James Rudolph; sister, Barbara Cranston. Survived by husband, Lloyd "Bud"; children, Jeffrey (Debra), Mary Gorrill (Bill), Daniel (Trudy), and John (Cheri); grandchildren, Robert Thompson (Stacy), Kristine Petroshius (Douglas), Tracy Thompson, Andrew Gorrill (Jonel), Charles Leonard-Gorrill (Carin), Matthew Gorrill (Kendall), McKenzie Tischendorf (Brad), Ross Thompson, and Lauren Thompson; great-grand- children, Mary, Zeke, Zoey, Sophie, Marissah, Lila, and Iris. Betty was born in Mpls September 29, 1920. She graduated from Edison High School and the University of MN in 1942 with degrees in Art and Home Economics and was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. She married Bud on Dec. 24, 1943 at Ft. Jackson, SC. Betty began her career as a buyer for Powers Department Store. She also worked as a claims examiner at Northwestern National Life Ins. Co., although, most importantly, the majority of her time was being a mother and homemaker. Until one month before her death, Betty taught oil painting to artists of all ages. She was active in local politics; served as president of the school PTA; was active in her church choir, vestry, and diocese; was a member of the Buchanan Club and a member of the Golden Tones Senior Choir. Since moving to SW Mpls, she and Bud have enjoyed the company of friends at the Linden Hills Dunn Bros. coffee shop. Betty was a resident of Golden Valley for nearly 50 years and of SW Mpls for 12 years. She is remembered by her family and friends as artistic, musical, loving, loyal, vibrant, organized, gracious, interesting, unassuming, open-minded, warm, caring, and welcoming. Betty was a wonderful companion and best friend to Bud during their 65 years of marriage. SHE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED BY ALL WHO KNEW HER! Celebration of Life will be 11:00 am Saturday Sept. 6 at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 1832 James Ave N, Mpls. Visitation 5 to 8 Friday at Gearty Delmore Robbinsdale Chapel, 39th and W. Broadway, and again one hour prior to the service Saturday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to North Memorial Residential Hospice, 4201 58th Ave N, Brooklyn Center, MN 55429, or to St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 1832 James Ave N, Mpls, MN 55411. Gearty-Delmore 763-537-4511
This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.
Dan and Trudy,
The parties will never be the same
absent the rice pudding.I certainly
am sorry...give my condolences to
Bud.
xoxo Patty Roth
Patty Roth
September 05, 2008 | Mpls, MN
Bud, Dan, Jeff, John, Mary and Trudy
You all have my heartfelt sympathy. Betty was my friend. Betty was my mentor. My heart will always carry her. What an incredibly special lady.
Doris Scott
September 03, 2008 | St. Paul, MN
Thompsons, I am so sorry for you loss. The world will be a little duller without such a shining light. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
Samantha Woodford
September 03, 2008 | Eden Prairie, MN
Thompson family -
Although I didn't know Betty & Bud well, they were always very welcoming when I attended your church with my son, Andre. I found out through Vant Washington that Betty wanted to meet with me since my mother was a Rudolph and we may have been related somehow. I regret we ran out of time.
May your beautiful memories of Betty bless and calm you during this time of sorrow. Our prayers are with you all.
Diane & Andre Weber
September 03, 2008 | Minneapolis, MN
Dear Bud and family,
I have such fond memories of growing up at St. Andrew's and especially of singing in the choir with both you and Betty . She sang at Bruce's and my wedding Aug. 24, 1963, and did a wonderful job. The stalwarts of the church are slowly dying off and it is the end of an era. I know that Betty was a woman of deep faith and I can see her being welcomed on the other shore by Harry and Jane and others who have gone on before. May God comfort you in your loss. ...
Janet Getchell (Goodwin)
September 03, 2008 | Vadnais Heights, MN
Remembered By
Janet Getchell (Goodwin)
September 03, 2008 | Vadnais Heights, MN
Betty was a great person to have known. Both Betty and Bud are special to me to have gotten to work under Bud at Hennepin County. God speed and take care Bud. She is in good hands.
Lyle Melland
September 03, 2008 | Coon Rapids, MN
Bud and Family,
I only knew Betty for a short time, but I was truly honored to have known her. Her beauty both inside and out was inspiring and she will be missed by all who were blessed to have had her in their lives. My condolances to you all and God Bless.
Melissa (Belle) Wobig
September 03, 2008 | Rochester, MN
Grandma, We miss you already. We love you and are glad we got to say goodbye to you. Your strenght and grace during your illness was inspiring and I'll never forget you.
Kristine (Thompson) Petroshius
September 02, 2008 | Waukegan, IL
