Daniel Keith Thompson

Daniel Keith Thompson of Leavenworth, Kansas, was born on July 6, 1956, in Ottawa, Kansas, to Leroy and Juanita (Nicholson) Thompson. He passed away peacefully with his wife and children around him, in his home, on December 13, 2025.

He attended grade school in Montezuma, Kansas, and then moved back to Ottawa in the middle of his fifth-grade year. In 1974, he graduated from Ottawa High School.

In February 1974, he enlisted in the Kansas National Guard, as his parents wouldn't sign for him to enlist in the Army, as he wasn't yet 18. He was posted to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, for both his basic training and advanced training, where he was qualified as a Field Wireman (36 K).

In early 1979, he switched to active duty as an Army Infantryman (11B). His infantry training was at Ft. Benning, Georgia. Upon completing his training, he was stationed at Ft. Hood, Texas, for eighteen months. Then to Ft. Wainwright, Alaska, for a 30-month tour. He was discharged from the Army in September 1982, rejoining the Kansas National Guard in 1985, retiring with 20 years of service.

He married Deborah Shaver in 1976, and to this union two children were born. Michael in 1978 at Ft. Hood, Texas, and Kimberly in 1981 at Ft. Wainwright, Alaska. They were later divorced in 1987.

He married Suzanne Lane in 1990. She had one son and four daughters, which added five stepkids to his family. They divorced in 2012.

Daniel and Melody Amundsen were joined in marriage in September 2014; they had dated as teenagers and reconnected after 40 years. She has one son, adding one other stepchild to this blended family.

After leaving the Army, he worked at H. D. Lee until they closed the Ottawa plant in 1987. He worked at Havens Steel for four years, then at Kalmar (Ottawa Truck) in 1992 where he recently retired after thirty-three years.

Daniel was a member of Calvary Bible Church in Bonner Springs for 11 years and has made several friends along the way. Daniel would help with the sound booth and loved to visit with the elderly and play with the children in his church family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Michael Thompson, and two sisters,Carol Troutman and Donna Miller.

He is survived by his wife, Melody Thompson, of the home; two brothers, David and his wife Sheila of Arkansas; and Douglas of Overland Park, Kansas; two sons, Bruce Lane and his wife Teresa of Lyndon, Kansas, and Andrew Amundsen of Kansas City, Kansas. Five daughters, Kimberly Thompson of Lawrence, Michelle Fesenmeyer of Topeka, Kathryn Snover and her husband Dustin of Ottawa, Linda Marshall of Topeka, and Toni Hartpence of Wichita, as well as nineteen grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.

Daniel enjoyed watching the Chiefs, reading books, the Bible, and traveling. He loved being able to see new areas of the country and participating in many new activities while doing so. He and Melody liked driving and would plan extra time on trips so they could take in roadside attractions and destinations as they traveled. In their travels, they were able to see many interesting sites and areas that most travelers might miss.

In his early fifties, he took his first bungee jump and never forgot the adrenaline high after doing so. Along with this, he enjoyed gardening, hiking, scuba diving, playing mini golf, visiting a cheese factory in The Wisconsin Dells, playing poker in Vegas while vacationing, and making many special memories with his friends and family.

He had been a member of the Ottawa Elks for several years and became the E.R. before moving to Leavenworth. He made many lasting friendships with his fellow Elks. He looked forward to participating in and helping plan many of their activities.

After settling into Leavenworth, he joined the American Legion and was a member for several years. He was a proud Veteran and supported veteran-related activities.