Ronald Eugene Thompson, age 69, of Whitehall, passed away on Wednesday,
February 12, 2025 in the Gundersen Health System in LaCrosse after a
courageous battle with esophageal cancer which was diagnosed last May.
Reports indicated that he had conquered it but the treatments apparently took a
toll on his body and finally he gave up the battle.
Ronald was born on August 15, 1956 in the Black River Hospital in Black River
Falls to James E. and Dolores (Halverson) Thompson. It was 102 degrees that
day and no air conditioning, so no wonder he had red hair. Ron was raised on
the family farm in rural Northfield where as a child he learned the ethics of
farming and appreciation of nature.
Ron attended the Northfield grade school, then Pigeon School and graduated
from the Whitehall High School with the class of 1973. He attended the Western
Wisconsin Technical School in LaCrosse majoring in auto mechanics. Ron
worked for a short time in LaCrosse then for nearly twenty years he worked as
an auto mechanic at Krueger’s Service in Black River Falls before changing
careers by working at Ashley Furniture in Arcadia for twenty years prior to his
retirement in 2022. He also attended the Chippewa Valley Technical College for
police and worked as a deputy reserve for Jackson County for many years.
Ron married Susan Kersting in 1996 at the South Beef River Lutheran Church in
rural Osseo. They lived in the Northfield and York area for many years. A son,
Mason, was born to this union. Ron and Sue separated and he moved to
Whitehall where he was currently living with his brother, Robert “Bob”. They
shared the housework, yardwork and going to various events.
Ron was a lifelong member of the South Beef River Lutheran Church in rural
Osseo. He was baptized, confirmed and married there. Ron took special interest
in God’s Great Outdoors programs. He loved to hunt, fish, go to car races,
tractor pulls and especially enjoyed the local bands. After retirement, Ron liked
to fish, read and watch television, especially Gunsmoke and outdoor related
programs.
Ron is survived by his wife, Susan “Sue”; his son, Mason; a stepson, Douglas
Marshall; a sister, Sandra (Richard) Isaacson; a brother, Robert “Bob”
Thompson; a nephew, Wayne (Ivy) Thompson; aunts Betty Simmons and Kathy
Halverson along with many cousins and friends.
In addition to his parents, Ron was preceded his grandparents. John and Tonette
“Nettie” Thompson and Calmer and Alice Halverson; aunts, uncles and several
cousins. Ron will be deeply missed by many.
Formal funeral services are tentatively scheduled for some time in the spring
when it should be safer travel for family and friends who may wish to attend.
Ron’s family would like to thank the Gundersen Health System for the wonderful
care and compassion given, especially the last hours.
No responses yet