Eldon Jerome Thompson

Eldon Jerome Thompson, 91, of Barnesville, MN died on Thursday, November 2, 2023.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at Rollag Lutheran Church in Rollag, MN with Rev. Jim Greene officiating. Burial will follow at the Rollag Lutheran Cemetery.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral at Rollag Lutheran Church.

Eldon was born on September 29, 1932, to Henry and Emma Marie (Nelson) Thompson. He was delivered by Midwife Caroline McDonald in Barnesville, MN. He was baptized and confirmed at Rollag Lutheran Church in Rollag, MN. He attended country school and high school in Barnesville, and graduated from Crookston’s Agriculture Program through the Northwest School of Agriculture with the class of 1949.

Eldon was united in marriage to Mary Ann Orpen on July 20, 1957, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Pelican Rapids.  Together they raised their 3 daughters on the Thompson Family Farm located East of Barnesville, MN. In 1995 they sold the farm and moved into the city of Barnesville, MN.  They enjoyed wintering in Apache Junction, Arizona and did so for nearly 40 years.

During Eldon’s senior year of high school his father, Henry, had a stroke. Eldon took over the job of milking cows. During his lifetime he served on the Elevator board for 20+ years. He was active in DHIA (National Dairy Herd Information Services) during the 1960’s and the NFO (National Farmers Organization) in the 60’s & 70’s. Eventually he auctioned off his herd of Holstein cattle but continued with Farrow to Fat Hog farming. In 1986, he made the decision to put his land in CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) and started Thompson Hunting Preserve for pheasants. Among the people from many states and countries that visited the hunting preserve was legendary pilot, Chuck Yeager. He ran the hunting preserve, taking people out for a day’s hunt, for 26 years.

Eldon was an active member of Rollag Lutheran Church and served on the church council for many years. He was also a member of the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion.

Eldon was an avid hunter of large game including moose, bear, and deer, collecting a variety of trophy animals over the years. He also thoroughly enjoyed a good game of cards, one time winning a Texas Hold'em tournament that advanced him to play in Las Vegas.  He was proud to have made an appearance on The Price Is Right in 1981. He was selected from an audience of more than 300 people. He was a successful contestant, winning a variety of prizes.

Eldon is survived by his daughters: Cheryl (Bruce) Gamel, Judith Golick, and Jean (Clark) Bernier; grandchildren: Chelsea (Jeremiah) Brodal, Jade (Steve) Rosenfeldt, Codey Bernier, and Brock Golick; and great-grandchildren: Weston and Henrik Rosenfeldt; and dear friend DiaAnn Juven-Smidt.

Eldon was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mary Ann; a great-granddaughter, Adeline Rosenfeldt; and his brothers, Stanford and Arvid Thompson.

Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.dobmeierfuneralhome.com