Stella M. Thompson, 90, of Dickinson, ND, formerly of Bowman, ND, passed away on Monday, January 18, 2016 at the St. Luke's Home in Dickinson.

Funeral Services for Stella will be on Friday, January 22, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. and the Bowman Assembly of God Church. Pastor Allen Wickstrom and Pastor Ed Kvaale will officiate with burial to follow in the Bowman Cemetery. There will be Family and Friends Service on Thursday, January 21, 2016 at the Bowman Assembly of God Church beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Many years ago in a little log cabin church in Buffalo, SD, Stella Thompson was given a prepaid ticket for Heaven. She endured many hardships, disappointments and heartaches through the years, but always was confident that in the end she would realize her final travel dream. On Monday afternoon, January 18, 2016 at 6:09p.m. with her family at the gate to send her off, attendants arrived to escort her to her chariot. She arrived to the splendor of her Heavenly home to meet Paul and Steve and other family and friends, all who had tickets for earlier arrival. She left all earthly belongings resting on the promise that she'd have everything she would ever need for eternity. She left her story for those who always wanted to know.
Stella Marie Thompson was born on a ranch near Bullock, SD on November 25, 1925 to Jack and Violet Burt. She spent her early life on her father's homestead west of Buffalo, then moved into town to attend school and graduated from Buffalo High School in 1945. She moved to Seattle Washington to live with relatives and work in a defense plant prior to graduation. She married Paul Thompson of Ludlow, SD on November 16 of 1946 when he returned from the Navy. To this marriage was born 4 boys, Jim, born Sept 19, 1947, Steve born Jan 4, 1951, Rick, born May 19, 1954 and Mark born Oct 21 of 1955. Paul and Stella worked on ranches in NW South Dakota until moving to Oregon in the mid 50's. Paul worked on ranches in Eastern Oregon til moving back to ND for a time in 1961, and then to Sturgis, SD less than a year later.
Paul and Stella stayed in Sturgis until moving back to ND in 1969. A final heart attack took Paul's' life in August 1971. Stella, who was already working in the first national bank in Bowman, became the head of the household and continued working at the Bank until her retirement. While in Bowman she was a charter member of the Assembly of God church and served as treasurer there for many years. Most of the last part of her business life was spent running the travel agency for First National Bank in Bowman. She moved to Dickinson in 2006 to live at Park Avenue Villa. She was active there and enjoyed being close to her grandchildren. She spent her time reading and drinking coffee and was much appreciated for her weekly "hair fixing" duties for the ladies of the Villa.
A stroke in the fall of 2011 changed all of that and she moved to the St Luke's Nursing home. Where she lived til her death.
When your ticket is delivered, please make plans to look her up in her mansion.
Stella is survived by sons; Jim Thompson of Belle Fourche, SD, Rick and Karen Thompson of Dickinson, Mark and Debbie Thompson of Dickinson; daughter-in-law, Judy Thompson of Williston, ND; grandchildren, Kimberly (Darwin) Hanzlik, Kyle (Deanna) Thompson, Tara (Blaine) Brunell, Maverick (Jenny) Thompson, Erica Thompson, Evan (Heather) Thompson, Sarah Smyle, Travis (Rochelle) Thompson, Shanna (Pete) Transtrom, Serena Thompson; 27 great grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren; sister, Gladys (Neil) Tennyson; brother, Bill (Ruby) Burt and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son Steve, grandson Shawn and siblings Edwin Burt, Henry Burt and Lucille Cook.
Krebsbach and Kulseth Funeral Services in charge of the arrangements.