Arlene B. (Larson) Thompson, age 96, of Decorah, passed away Mon., Dec. 30, 2019, at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah. 

Funeral Services were Jan. 4, 2020, at Decorah Lutheran Church with Rev. Allen Vik officiating. Burial was in Lutheran Cemetery in Decorah.

Arlene Bertina Thompson was born Oct. 20, 1923, in Pleasant Township, Winneshiek County, Iowa, the daughter of Martin and Anna (Sorenson) Larson. She graduated from Decorah High School with the class of 1941. Arlene then taught four years in Pleasant Township country school. She was staying on a farm owned by Ray’s Uncle Harry (Elsie) Stoskopf when Arlene met Ray.

Arlene and Ray were united in marriage at Canoe Ridge Lutheran Church in rural Decorah on April 22, 1945, while Ray was on leave from the Army Air Corps. After marriage, they spent time in the southwest United States until Ray was deployed. While Ray served in the Pacific, Arlene stayed with Ray’s mother Mayme and worked in the family restaurant, the Cozy Tea Room in Decorah. No doubt she picked up some kitchen secrets from Mayme. After the war, Arlene and Ray settled in Decorah, where they raised three sons: Larry, Les, and Lee.

Arlene graduated from Luther College in 1966. She taught elementary school in the Decorah Community School District, retiring in 1984. She was a member of BPW (Business Professional Women).

Arlene and Ray hosted the Christmas gathering for the Larson side of the family from 1954 to 2016 at their Decorah homes. These were festive gatherings for all who could attend, and Arlene always set aside presents with blank tags for unexpected guests. Arlene and Ray’s home had an open-door policy for family and friends. They also enjoyed their travels near and abroad as well as fishing trips. Starting in 1969, and for several years after, they helped organize the summer “family” fishing adventure to lakes in Minnesota or Ontario. Arlene loved to bake oatmeal cookies that often got eaten as frozen cookie dough that never made it to the oven. Arlene was a longtime member of Decorah Lutheran Church and was active in circle.

Arlene became a resident of Aase Haugen Home in Decorah in Dec. 2017.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Ray on March 1, 2005; her five brothers:  Lloyd, Selmer, Arthur, Leon, and Merton Larson; and her six sisters: Gladys Gavle, Esther Kruse, Myrtle Priebe, Ella Otteson, Violet Ramsey and Madeline Priebe.

She is survived by her son, Larry Thompson ’66 (Jackie (Borchert) Thompson ‘85) of Decorah and their children, Lance of St. Cloud, Minn., Mitchell (Christina) of Manvel, Texas , and Jody Thompson ‘99 of Sheboygan, Wis.; her son, Les (Julie) Thompson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and their sons, Jon (Lisa) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Paul of Chicago; her son, Lee (Judy) Thompson of Sioux Falls, S.D., and their daughters, Kara (Scott) Fedders of Colorado Springs, Colo., Heather (Keith) Baruch of Bailey, Colo., and Rachel (Aaron) Ahlstrom of Burnsville, Minn.; nine great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials can be given to WMC Hospice, 901 Montgomery Street, Decorah, IA 52101 or Decorah Lutheran Church, 309 Winnebago St., Decorah, IA 52101.