Deloris M. Thompson

Deloris M. Thompson, 96, a lifelong resident of the North Loup area returned home to her Maker in the early morning hours of February 24, 2024, while in the loving care of Arbor Care Center in Ord. She passed into Heaven in her daughter's arms and surrounded by her son and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren who loved her beyond words.
Deloris was born May 15, 1927, to George O. and Zena M. (Sautter) Barnes in the Horace area of Greeley County, Nebraska; the fourth of 9 children. Her early childhood education took place at Fish Creek rural school and she graduated from Scotia High School in 1944. Deloris lived in town during parts of her high school years in the home of Walter and Maude Bundy, who became treasured friends for life. "Auntie Maude", to Deloris' children remained a part of their lives beyond all of Floyd and Deloris' children entering school.
Deloris began clerical work in 1945 at the Greeley County Court House and worked in Grand Island in several capacities. It was on one of her bus trips from Grand Island to Greeley that she met a quiet, handsome young man returning home from service in the Army of the Air Force. She married that young man on August 29, 1946, and became Mrs. Floyd Thompson. Two sons and a daughter were born to the couple; Gerald, Danny and Susan. Deloris returned to clerical work as the Deputy Treasurer for Valley County in January of 1971, when her youngest (daughter) was a senior in high school. She retired from that position 20+ years later, in July of 1991. The family believes that there wasn't a face or farm in Valley County that Deloris didn't know.
Floyd and Deloris lived in the Horace area and on the edge of Scotia briefly when their children were young, then settled on their own farm south of North Loup on the Ashton highway in 1961. Even before purchasing that farm, Floyd worked for Orent Hog Farm and Deloris proved her skills as a gardener, mother, homemaker, 4-H leader; and a devoted disciple of God. She and Floyd raised their children in the fold of the United Methodist Church of North Loup, where she was a Sunday School teacher, MYF leader, active member of the U.M. Women's Society; and was the dedicated custodian and beautifier of the church for many years. Deloris was the perfect farm wife! There was not a vegetable she couldn't grow and preserve; a flower that she couldn't make bloom, a meal that anyone left hungry from, a farm task that she wouldn't tackle with Floyd or a musk thistle or weed that didn't fear her.
Throughout her life, Deloris was active in United Methodist Women's Society, 4-H and Camp leadership, Valley County Pork Producers, American Legion Auxiliary for which she was honored for 35 years in 2023, and her passion in post child raising years the Order of the Eastern Star at local and state levels. Deloris was honored along with Floyd as the First Kernel for North Loup Popcorn Days and received the Good Neighbor from AK-SAR-BEN. She never sought recognition for the many things she did for her farm neighbors, her church and especially the North Loup community, but was highly deserving of these earthly honors.
Deloris lived the last 13 years of her life at Grandview in Ord, before moving to Arbor Care Center in September of 2023. She lived a full life and had a strong faith in God, and was ready to "Go Home".
Deloris leaves to mourn her on earth a son, Danny Thompson (Debra) of LeMars, Iowa; daughter, Susan Wood (Paul) of Parsonsburg, MD; sister, Mildred Otto of Ord; sister-in-law, Rita Barnes Tolen of Ord; daughter-in-law, Carol Snodgrass Thompson of Scotia; former daughter-in-law who has remained very close to her, Betty Wood of Ericson; and the mother of six of her grandchildren, Margaret Wadas of Ord. Deloris also leaves the loves of her life, her grandchildren, Jason, Tom and Wesley Thompson, Brenda Hickson, Marci Veach and Shari Sandoz Meyer; all their spouses; and Brad Thompson and Julie Thompson. She also has 3 bonus grandchildren. 12 great-grandchildren, Jacob, Jadyn, Madison, Colton, Dawson, Raegan, Haelyn, Cheyenne, Kinsley, Reba, Dylon and Gage and 10 bonus great-grandchildren. The most recent sparkles in her eye are her 5 great-great-grandchildren, Kambrey, Kora, Kelby, Knox and Dutton; plus 11 bonus great-great-grandchildren.
Deloris was preceded in death by her parents; parents-in-law; husband of 60 years, Floyd in 2007; oldest son, Gerald in 2023; 7 siblings, Louis, Geneva, Lorna Mae, Virgil, Donna, Verlon and George Jr.; all of her in-laws; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 29, 2024; at the Ord Memorial Chapel. Burial will be in the Mt. Hope Cemetery at Scotia, Nebraska. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Ord Memorial Chapel.
In lieu of flower arrangements, green plants or memorials donations to North Loup Pride or Boy's Town are suggested.