Jerome Thompson, age 79, of Twin Valley, MN, died Monday, April 09, 2012, in his home under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Jerome "J.T." Thompson was born April 21, 1932, the son of Knute and Minnie (Lien) Thompson near Flom, MN. He was baptized and confirmed his faith in Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, and later became a member of Aspelund Lutheran Church. Jerome attended grade school at Woodland Nook, rural Flom, and graduated from Twin Valley High School with the class of 1950. After graduation, he worked at the Gary Elevator and also at the Minot Air Base before entering the United States Army in 1952, where he served in the Korean War. After his honorable discharge, Jerome worked in Fargo-Moorhead and Klinnert Oil Company in Dent, MN.

On February 12th, 1956, Jerome was united in marriage to LaDonna Hadland. The couple made their home in Dent for about a year before returning to the Flom area where they began farming. At that time, Jerome also started working for the Flom Co-op, where he was employed for about 40 years.

Jerome was always sports minded. He played amateur baseball for the Twin Valley Twins for over 20 years. After retiring from baseball, Jerome started playing and managing the "Old Timers" softball, which he played until age 65.

Jerome was a life time member of the Flom-Twin Valley VFW Post 3818 where he served several terms as Commander. Jerome loved hunting, fishing, dancing (best polka dancer in the area!) and spending time at the lake with his boys and grandkids. His family was very dear to him and he treasured the time he spent with them.

Jerome is survived by his wife of 56 years, LaDonna Thompson of Twin Valley, MN; sons, Jerri (Dove) Thompson and Jim (Karen) Thompson all of Twin Valley, MN and Jeff (Tiffany) Thompson of Mahnomen, MN; a special friend, Melvin Maha of Twin Valley, MN, who he thought of as a fourth son; a brother, Kalmer (Gloria) Thompson of Ulen, MN; sisters, Mazel Albertson of Burbank, CA, Eileen Fields of Kermit, TX and several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by five children, Sonja, twin girls, Cheryl and Cherrie, and two still born sons; his parents, brothers, Clayton, Arlo, Duane and Alfred and sisters Ethel and Vivian.

Funeral Services were Friday, April 13th at 11:00 a.m. in Aspelund Lutheran Church, rural Flom, MN. Visitation was Thursday, April 12th from 5 to 7 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 6:00 p.m. in Aspelund Lutheran Church. Visitation was also one hour before services at the church on Friday. Officiating was Pastor Al Brooks with Carol Johnson serving as organist and special music provided by Mike Klemetson, Katie Klemetson, Clayton Thompson, Jr. and Maren Thompson. Pallbearers were Mike Baukol, David Lunde, Eric Boman, Todd Manthe, Mike Klemetson, Mike Bray, Merlyn Olson and Duane "Butch" Johnson. Honorary pallbearers were Gene Baukol, Jerry Braaten, Twin Valley Twins Baseball Team and the Ogema-Waubun Old Timers Softball Team. Military honors were provided by the Flom-Twin Valley VFW Post 3818 and the Twin Valley Nesseth-Lien Post 431 of the American Legion.

Interment was in Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, rural Flom, MN.