Mary Thompson - Rochester

ROCHESTER — Mary Joan Thompson, 76, of Rochester, died peacefully on Monday, Aug. 2, at Seasons Hospice. She courageously battled stomach cancer for more than a year and lived it gracefully and with dignity. Mary spent her last week at Seasons Hospice and received outstanding care and comfort while there.

Mary Joan Wilson was born on Aug. 13, 1933, in Mankato, Minn., to Samuel and Gladys (Horan) Wilson. The family later moved to Austin. She married her high school sweetheart, Lowell Thompson on Christmas Eve 1951 while he was home on leave from the Air Force. They lived in Florida while Lowell was in the service and settled in Rochester in 1953. Mary and Lowell were married for 52 years and raised three daughters together.

She is survived by her daughters, Dee (Gary) Kobi of Longville, Minn., Terri Thompson of Minneapolis, and Julie Sorensen of Rochester. Mary dearly loved and will be missed by her 2 grandchildren, Melissa (Daniel) Douglas of Brooklyn Park, Minn., and Benjamin (Sara) Kobi of Boulder, Colo. Mary also leaves two delightful great-grandsons, Owen (8) and Sean (3) Douglas. She touched many others as well; numerous nieces and nephews, sisters and brothers in-law, neighbors and dear friends. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, sister, brother and husband.

Mary was a quiet woman who cared for many and asked for little. Early in her marriage she worked at Waters-Conley, helping to manufacture phonographs. Later she was a well-known face at Wendy’s Hamburgers, where she worked for 30 years.

She had a quick wit and loved to tease her friends and family right up until her last days. She enjoyed being with her family and friends. She loved visiting her daughter and son-in-law at the lake and she got real pleasure from seeing her daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mary was a sports fan and kept up-to-date on most sports activities.

The memorial service for Mary will be delayed until Friday, Sept. 10, at 10:30 a.m. and will be held at Resurrection Catholic Church in Rochester. The burial of her cremains will follow the funeral mass.

The family suggests Seasons Hospice for memorials.