Dean R. Thompson

Dean Thompson, 70 of Minot, died Wednesday March 11th in his home surrounded by his loving family.

Dean was born to Robert and Isabelle (Furman) Thompson of Minot on February 6, 1956. His childhood was full of family time including Sundays in Coteau visiting his grandparents, summers at Mouse River Park, plus numerous family camping trips and holidays spent together. Dean learned early on that family comes first. He graduated from Minot High School in 1974, before heading to NDSU. He graduated with a BS in Mechanized Agriculture in 1978.

After college, he spent some time custom combining throughout the center of the country. Through a connection made there, he found himself a job with the soil conservation service, near New Town, where he worked for seven years. During a very brief stint of attempting to be an EMT, he met the love of his life, Susan Zieman of Dickinson.

They were married on April 5, 1986. They settled in Minot, where Dean took up the family farm with Unc. Dean and Susan had three children, Megan, Ian, and Cullan. Those years were full of sports and concerts. Dean rarely missed an event.

Dean loved to visit with people. He could talk to you about almost anything. He always had a story for those ready to listen and he never missed a chance to bad mouth UND. Outside of farming, he stayed busy with his garden, baking sourdough bread, paint-by-number as well as word and jigsaw puzzles.

One of the great joys of his life was spending time with his grandkids. They could convince him to do almost anything, playing in the lake, card games like Uno and Blitz or just being close to him. His favorites were sneaking them sweet treats and new shoes, even when Mom and Dad said no.

He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, uncles Kenneth and Gene, aunt Mavis, and cousin John.

He shared his life with his wife, Susan; children Megan (Luke) Brandt, Minneapolis, MN; Ian (McAyla) Thompson, Minot, ND, Cullan Thompson, Brooklyn Park, MN; grandchildren Matthias and Isabelle Brandt, Robert and RosLynn Thompson; sisters Sue (Josh) Arnold, Rochester, MN; Karen (Joel) Iverson, Missoula, MT, as well as cousins, nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Sunday, March 15th, 3-5 pm at Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot. The funeral will be 11am Monday, March 16th, at Bread of Life Lutheran Church, Minot. To view a livestream of the service access https://www.youtube.com/@BreadofLife-MinotND
Memorials can be directed to Metigoshe Ministries Campership Fund, National Public Radio or plant a tree in his memory.