Ruth Thompson

Ruth Thompson, age 92 of Huron, passed away on Sunday, March 29, 2026 at Oakview Terrace Nursing Home in Freeman, South Dakota. Her funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, April 2, 2026 at Welter Funeral Home with burial to follow at Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery in Huron. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Ruth LaVonne was born on August 22, 1933, in Canton, South Dakota, to Milford and Ethel (Mitchell) Beer. She grew up in Canton and graduated from Canton High School in 1951. During her high school years, Ruth worked at a local implement dealership.

A chance meeting at the Arkota Dance Hall led to Ruth’s marriage to Kenneth Poulisse. The couple were united in marriage in 1955 at First United Methodist Church in Huron. They made their home in Huron, where Ruth worked at Northwest Bank. Ruth and Kenneth welcomed two children, Neil and Carol. Ruth treasured the years she spent at home raising her children before they began school.

Once both children were in school, Ruth returned to the workforce and worked for the Huron School District, serving as a secretary at the high school and later in the superintendent’s office. Kenneth passed away in 1978. Ruth married Gerald Thompson in 1979.

Following her retirement, Ruth discovered a love for oil painting and generously gifted many of her creations to family members. She also enjoyed working word puzzles and found great joy in birdwatching. Ruth always had a dog by her side throughout her life, as animals held a special place in her heart. Though she was not overly social, she valued her time with Beta Sigma Phi and remained a devoted member for decades. Ruth was a life-time member of the First United Methodist Church.

She is survived by her daughter, Carol (Mark) Andersen of Canistota; her daughter-in-law, Pam Poulisse of Huron; granddaughters, Brandi (Tim) Knippling and Lauren (Michael) Gapp; great-grandchildren, Maggie, William and Karly Knippling, Kenneth and Liam Beals, and Harper Gapp; her sister-in-law, Martha Beer of Canton; she is also survived by Gerald’s family.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Kenneth Poulisse and Gerald Thompson; son, Neil Poulisse; brother Howard Beer; grandson, Grant Hoscheid; and great-grandchildren, Natalie, Sydney, and Delaney Knippling.