Carl Richard Thompson

Carl R. Thompson, 93, of St. Edward, NE passed away on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at his home in St. Edward, NE.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, March 19, 2021 at the United Methodist Church in St. Edward, NE with Rev. Vern Olson officiating. Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery in St. Edward with military rites will be conducted by American Legion Crosier Post #226 of St. Edward, US Army Funeral Honor Team, and the American Legion Riders. Visitation will be 5–7 p.m. Thursday, at the church. A recording of Carl's service will be available later that day and can be viewed on his obituary page at www.levanderfuneralhome.com . Social distancing and current Covid-19 DHM's will be followed at both the visitation and funeral and masks are requested to be worn.

Miller-Levander Funeral Home of St. Edward, NE is in charge of arrangements.

Carl Richard Thompson was born on April 25, 1927 to Ole and Mary (Cruise) Thompson at St. Edward, Nebraska. Carl attended school in St. Edward and graduated from St. Edward High School in 1944. At the time of his death, Carl was the oldest living male member of the St. Edward High School Alumni Association. In 1945, Carl was drafted into the U.S. Army and served at Ft. Lewis in Washington state until his honorable discharge.

On November 12, 1950, Carl was united in marriage to Janet Helen Schack at Salem Lutheran Church, rural St. Edward. The couple lived north of St. Edward until 1969 when they moved into town. Carl and Janet enjoyed dancing together until her passing. Later, Carl met special friend Denise Webb and they to enjoyed dancing together.

Carl was a lifetime farmer. In addition to farming, Carl also worked for the Albion Livestock Market for 50 years as well as the Fullerton Livestock Market for 60 years. Carl was later recognized on the tv show segment Lance's Journal for his 60 years of service. Carl also had an auction service with Pete Anderson years ago. He served on the St. Edward City Council for seven years and went on to become mayor of the city, an office he held for 20 years. During his time as mayor, Carl and then Governor Dave Heineman helped with the groundbreaking ceremony of the new firehall.

During Carl's life he had a love for horses and black and white-faced cattle. He especially liked a buckskin horse he had named Duke. He enjoyed doing team penning competitions with Don Cruise and Fitch Wurdeman, occasionally winning, but mostly just having fun. Carl was a lifetime continuous member of the American Legion Crosier Post #226 of St. Edward for 68 years and was one of many area veterans who was able to go on an honor flight trip to Washington D.C.

Carl is survived by three children: Randy (Rae Ann) Thompson of Lincoln, NE; Renee (Alan) Kaspar of Yutan, NE; Rick (Cheryl) Thompson of Corning, IA; son-in-law: Gary Powell of Oakland, NE; seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; four brothers: Les Thompson of Nashville, TN; Harold Thompson of St. Edward, NE; Roger Thompson of Clay Center, NE; Gary Thompson of St. Edward, NE; two sisters: Donna Sallach of Albion, NE; Shirley Porter of Casper, WY; as well as many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife: Janet Thompson; daughter: Rhonda Powell; grandson: Clayton Kaspar; sister: Louise; brothers-in-law: Lyle Porter; Howard Sallach; Don Graff; and sister-in-law: Shirley Thompson.