ELMA THOMPSON

Elma Thompson gravestone
(Photo by Vernon B. Paddock)

B. February 13, 1891 in North Dakota
D. February 1971 (last residence in Lake Villa, Lake County, IL
Find A Grave memorial (click here)

 Gravestone Inscription: Thompson – Henry 1900-1974; Mary 1921-1971; Elma 1891-1971 

  • Father: Andrew Thompson born December 22, 1846 in Norway (DOB given as June 1840 on 1900 U.S. Census); Andrew died August 24, 1921; buried in Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery, Devils Lake, Ramsey County, ND
  • Mother: Martha Thompson born December 22, 1866 about 1861 or December 1866 in Norway; Martha died December 22, 1922; buried in Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery, Devils Lake, Ramsey County, ND

According to the Devils Lake World (Devils Lake ND) Wednesday, December 27, 1922, page 3:

“KEITH
The many friends of Mrs. Andrew Thompson, one of the old settlers of this community, were saddened by the news of her death on Friday, Dec. 22, after a short period of illness.  She was born on December 22, 1866, in Wisconsin.  Mrs. Thompson, together with her husband came here from Larimore in 1883.  She is survived by eight children and five grandchildren, her husband having died a little more than a year ago.  Funeral services were held on Saturday, Dec. 23, from the St. Olaf’s Lutheran church, Rev. Meade officiating.  The community extends its most heartful sympathy to the bereaved family in their hour of sorraw (sic). Cor. H.

According to the Devils Lake World (Devils Lake ND) Wednesday, December 27, 1922, page 8:

“Mrs. Andrew Thompson of this city passed away at her home here last Thursday night at about one o’clock after an illness of several months.  The immediate cause of her death was dropsy and heart trouble.  Deceased had been a resident of the Lake region for many years, having come to near Keith in the pioneer days with her family.  About 12 years ago the family moved to Tokio, and last spring moved to Devils Lake.  Her husband passed away about a year ago.  She was 57 years old, and was a mother of several children.  Funeral services were held last Saturday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock from St. Oluf’s Lutheran church here, and were conducted by Rev. Moede.”

  • Siblings:
    • Theodore B. Thompson born December 1884 in North Dakota; married Florence P. Taylor (1888-1967); Theodore died October 5, 1955; Theodore and Florence are buried in the Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery, Devils Lake, Ramsey County, ND
    • Lulu Thompson born February 1886 in North Dakota
    • Albert Thompson born April 28, 1888 in Devils Lake, Ramsey County, ND (DOB given as June 1888 on 1940 U.S. Census); married Verna (?) (1892-1985); Albert died December 12, 1958 in Tucson, Pima County, AZ; Albert and Verna are buried in South Lawn Memorial Cemetery, Tucson, Pima County, AZ

According to the Tucson Citizen (Tucson AZ) Saturday, December 13, 1958, page 28:

“Albert Thompson
   Albert Thompson, 70, of 6141 S. Park Ave., died yesterday in the Veterans Hospital.  A welder by occupation, Mr. Thompson was an eight-year resident of Tucson.  He was a native of North Dakota.  He is survived by his wife Verna; and a daughter, Mrs. Marjorie Fields, of Tucson.  Services will be held at Arizona Mortuary chapel at 2 p.m. Monday.  Chaplain Otho Eure will officiate.  Burial will be in South lawn cemetery.”

    • Minnie M. (Thompson) Elstad born November 28, 1892 in North Dakota (DOB given as November 1893 in 1940 U.S. Census); married Carl John Elstad (1888-1975); Minnie died October 24, 1978; Minnie and Carl are buried in Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery, Devils Lake, Ramsey County, ND
    • Siri “Sarah” Henriette Thompson born August 9, 1895 in North Dakota
    • Emery Thompson born November 9, 1897 in Devils Lake, Ramsey County, ND; married Bertha Mildred Fulkerson (1906-1978), daughter of Walter A. Fulkerson (1866-1932) and Anna Maud (George) Fulkerson (1872-1908); Emery died March 18, 1969 in Devils Lake, Ramsey County, ND; Emery and Bertha are buried in Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery, Devils Lake, Ramsey County, ND

According to the Bismarck Tribune (Bismarck ND) Saturday, August 19, 1978, page 14:

“Bertha Thompson
Services Tuesday
   Mrs. Emery (Bertha) Thompson, 72, a resident of Mandan Villa and former Devils Lake resident, died Friday at Mandan Villa.  The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at First United Methodist Church in Devils Lake.
   The former Bertha Fulkerson was born Feb. 28, 19-6, at Churchs Ferry.  She was raised in that area and graduated from Devils Lake High School.  In 1927 she married Emery Thompson at Crookston, Minn.  The couple lived in Devils Lake.  Mr. Thompson died in March of 1969.  Mrs. Thompson moved to the Mandan nursing home in July 1976.
   She leaves four sons, including Morris A. Mandan, a daughter, and a sister.  (Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake)”

    • Henry Louis Thompson born July 13, 1900 in Devils Lake, Ramsey County, ND; Henry died December 1974 (See section pertaining to Henry Louis Thompson buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery)
    • Myrtle Lorette Thompson born July 29, 1902 in North Dakota; married Blanding M. Olson (1903-1970); Myrtle died January 16, 1971; Myrtle and Blanding are buried in Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery, Devils Lake, Ramsey County, ND
    • Bertha Evangeline (Thompson) Ginther born June 1, 1907 in Keith, Ramsey County, ND; married Raymond F. Ginther; Bertha died July 20, 1991 in Orange County, CA (mother’s maiden name given as Odgen); buried in Calvary Cemetery, Jamestown, Stutsman County, ND

Additional Information:

According to the 1900 U.S. Census for Minnewaukan Township, Ramsey County, ND the household members were:

“Andrew Tompson (sic), head, born june 1840, age 56 (illegible), married 18 years, born in Norway, parents born in Norway, immigrated in 1870, number of years in U.S.: 30, naturalized, occupation: Farmer; Martha Tompson (sic), wife; born December 1866; age 33, married 18 years, 7 children born, 6 children living, born in Norway, parents born in Norway, immigrated in 1880, number of years in U.S.: 20; Theadore Tompson (sic), son, born December 1884, age 16, single, born in North Dakota; Lulu Tompson (sic), daughter, born February 1886, age 14, single, born in North Dakota; Albert Tompson (sic), son, born April 1888, age 12, single, born in North Dakota; Alma Tompson (sic), daughter, born January 1891, page 9, single, born in North Dakota; Minnie Tompson (sic), born March 1893, age 7, single, born in North Dakota; Sarah H. Tompson (sic), born Aug 1896, age 3, single, born in North Dakota; Emery Tompson (sic), born Nov 1898, age 1, single, born in North Dakota”

According to the 1910 U.S. Census for Wood Lake Township, Benson County, ND, the household members were:

“Andrew Thompson, head, age 67, married for 28 years, born in Norway, parents born in Norway, immigrated in 1860, occupation: farmer; Martha Thompson, wife, age 45, married for 28 years, 10 children born, 8 children living, born in Norway, parents born in Norway, immigrated in 1860; Albert Thompson, son, age 22, single, born in North Dakota; Elma Thompson, daughter, age 19, single, born in North Dakota; Minnie Thompson, daughter, age 17, single, born in North Dakota; Emry Thompson, son, age 13, single, born in North Dakota; Henry Thompson, son, age 11, single, born in North Dakota; Myrtle Thompson, daughter, age 8, single, born in North Dakota; Bertha Thompson, daughter, age 3, single, born in North Dakota”

 According to the North Dakota, Territorial and State Censuses, 1885, 1915, 1925; Census Date: 1915 for Mission, Benson County, ND, the household members were:

“Andrew Thompson, age 72; Mrs. A. Thompson, age 47; Minnie Thompson, age 22; Alma Thompson, age 24, Emery Thompson, age 18, Henry Thompson, age 15, Myrtle Thompson, age 13, Bertha Thompson, age 8”

According to the 1930 U.S. Census for Devils Lake City, Ramsey County, ND, the household members were:

“Henery (sic) Thompson, head, age 29, single, born in North Dakota, parents born in Norway, Occupation: none; Elma Thompson, sister, age 33, single, born in North Dakota, parents born in Norway, Occupation: none; Mrs. Raymond  Ginther, sister, age 23, married, first married at age 22; born in North Dakota, parents born in Norway, Occupation: none”

According to the Chicago Daily News (Chicago IL) Thursday, February 4, 1971, page 47:

“THOMPSON
Elma Thompson, formerly with Northwestern University Settlement House, dear sister of Henry Thompson and Bertha Ginther, loving aunt of several nieces and nephews  Services Friday, 10 a.m. at MacGillis Funeral Home, 350 Goodnow Blvd., Roundlake (sic), Ill  Interment Fort Hill Cemetery, 546-3300″