Verle Gene Thompson, 77, of Brookings, passed away on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. A celebration of life will be held 10:30 AM on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at United Parish of Elkton in Elkton, SD. Visitation will be held Tuesday, October 17, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 PM also at United Parish of Elkton.

Verle Gene Thompson was born at home in a snowstorm on February 7th, 1946, to J. Arthur and May (Elverud) Thompson. He was baptized and confirmed at Midway Lutheran Church, in rural Colman, SD. He attended eight years of grade school at McCurdy rural school, ¼ mile south of his home. He graduated from Rutland High School and began farming at the age of sixteen. He married Audrey Bothwell on September 24, 1965, at Wellman Methodist Church in rural Colman, SD.

In 1969, Verle and Audrey purchased their first home on a farm, near Elkton, SD. and both began to work for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad. As a Veteran, Verle served six years in the 741st Transportation Unit of the Army National Guard in DeSmet, SD. and completed his basic training in Fort Bliss El Paso, Texas. He kept busy over the years enjoying family time, farming full time, as well as while serving as Parnell Township Clerk, Mayor of Elkton, Brooking's County Commissioner, on the Elkton School Board, and the Cenex Farmer's Co-op. He was a member of the United Parish Church in Elkton, SD. and the American Legion of Brookings.

Verle loved spending time with Audrey, his kids, and grandkids, farming and gardening, flowers, and traveling. Some of his greatest memories include his dad's old truck, and traveling throughout the United States, Hawaii, Alaska, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Mexico. He loved to visit and looked forward to coffee time with friends, getting together with his brothers and cousins, and spending his winters in Arizona.

During his retirement years, to continue to be around others, he enjoyed selling crop insurance and golf carts part-time. His golf carts brought him (and his grandkids) so much joy. He enjoyed helping out on the farm, checking in on his boys, and watching and attending his kid's and grandkid's sporting activities, as well as he was an avid Green Bay Packer's fan. Verle was proud to be a Republican, 100% Norwegian, and to serve his country.

He was survived by his wife, Audrey of 58 years, his children Brent (Carrie) Thompson, Kari (Aaron) Morris, Aaron (Kristie) Thompson, his brother Wayne (Lois), and sister-in-law's Barb and Dorothy Thompson; one Aunt Claris Elverud; and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Bailey (John) Merry, Justin (Typhinie) Thompson, Liberty, Lane, Maddisyn, Cassius, Kamden, Jaydalynn, Krosby, and Kooper.

Verle was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Dale and Maynard, grandson, Tyler, and great-granddaughter, Charlie.