Thomas (Tommy) Thompson

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Sept. 6, 2025, at 2:00 pm at the Waukenabo Township Hall, 36797 Grove Street, Palisade, Minn., for Thomas (Tommy) Thompson, 93, of Aitkin, Minn., who joined his wife in heaven on July 3, 2025, after a short hospital stay.

Tom was born on July 24, 1931, in Walhalla, N.D., the son of Russell and Lena (Kalis) Thompson. Thomas was united in marriage to Jean (Veer) on June 25, 1953, in Langdon, N.D. After marriage, they lived in small towns in northeast North Dakota until they moved to Roseau, Minn., in 1965, where Tom farmed. In 1994, they moved to Aitkin, Minn., where he lived until his death.

Tom began helping his parents with their farming operations at an early age. He learned to drive a tractor and fix equipment in elementary school. That work ethic drove him his entire life, and it was his deepest sorrow to give up driving a tractor and running a backhoe at the age of 91. After his marriage, he joined Ray Clairmont in road construction in N.D. He moved from Walhalla, N.D., to Roseau, Minn., where he found greater opportunities for growth. Tom was a visionary when it came to land development. At a glance, he could tell whether a parcel

of land was productive for farming, suitable only for hunting, or should remain as wetlands. In the 1970s, he was farming 10,000 acres in Roseau County, but when a 56,000 acre estate in Aitkin County came on the market in 1976, the opportunity proved irresistible. He bought the property and became the largest individual landowner in Minnesota at the time. That purchase led to his move to Aitkin. His other great love, flying his Cessna 182, helped him travel between Aitkin and Roseau for several years. His sons, Tim and Dennis, joined his farming endeavors in Aitkin in 1994. Tom had a great sense of humor, and he enjoyed visiting with farmers and other locals at the Roadside Café, which he visited daily (and sometimes many times a day) over his 45+ years in Aitkin!

Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Jean; parents Russell and Lena Thompson; brothers Francis and Donny; son-in-law Carson Strickling; and grandchild Mary Rosteck. He is survived by his eight children: Barbara (Gus) Jacobson, Daryl Thompson, Sandra (Mark) Milkey, Sharon (Jim) Rosteck, Kevin (Laurie) Thompson, Timothy (Jennifer) Thompson, Dennis (Mary) Thompson, and Lonnie (Tabitha) Thompson; 19 grandchildren: Chad (Kendra), Shawn, Emily, Ben, Sam (Tiffany), Jim (Isabel), J.C., Jake (Linda), Joe, Jeremy (Abby), Jenna (Levi), Erin, Kayla (Hunter), Emma, Sara, Graham, Josiah, Ethan and Megan (Joey); 18 great grandchildren; sisters: Ivy, Theresa, and Darlene; brother Val; and many nieces, nephews, other special relatives and friends.

Arrangements are with Sorensen- Root-Thompson Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Aitkin. To leave a message of condolence please go to www.srtfuneral.com The family requests no gifts or flowers. Cards may be sent to P.O. Box 174, Aitkin, Minnesota 56431.