Service Information
Harold “Sonny” Thompson, age 83, of Buffalo Lake, formerly of Hutchinson, Minnesota, passed away on Wednesday, December 29, 2021, at his home in Buffalo Lake.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, January 6, 2022, at 11:00 A.M. at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Stewart, Minnesota with interment in the church cemetery.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 5, 2022, from 4:00-6:00 P.M. at Dobratz Hantge Funeral Chapel in Hutchinson, Minnesota and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.
Military Honors by the Hutchinson Memorial Rifle Squad.
Obituary
Harold “Sonny” Luverne Thompson was born on January 8, 1938, in Hamilton County, Iowa. He was the son of Levi and Stella (Kalvig) Thompson and the youngest of seven children. Sonny was baptized as an infant on February 13, 1938, in Radcliffe, Iowa, and later confirmed in his faith as a youth in Ames, Iowa. He received his education in Ames, Iowa, and was a graduate with the Ames High School class of 1956.
Sonny entered active military service in the US Navy on July 16, 1956, in Ames, Iowa. He worked as an airplane mechanic and spent part of his tour on Midway Island. He received honorable discharge on July 7, 1960, at US Navrecsta, Treasure Island, San Francisco, California and achieved the rank of E2. Sonny was a member of the Hutchinson American Legion Post #96.
On June 9, 1961, Sonny was united in marriage to Lennie Smith at St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church in Ames, Iowa. This marriage was blessed with four children, Jeanne, Jane, Joan, and Joe. Sonny and Lennie resided in Ames, Iowa, until they moved to Hutchinson, Minnesota in 1966, where they owned and operated the 7-Hi Motel for over 30 years. Some of the customers and the employees remain lifelong friends.
Sonny held many “side” jobs in addition to constantly maintaining and remodeling the motel. Some of those jobs were hot tar roofing, installing carpet, installing windows, parts delivery, and even as a safe cracker. In retirement, Sonny and Lennie started a small painting business. They painted the interiors of many assisted living homes, as well as homes of family and friends until the age of 82! He was also the official “greeter” at Jane’s shop and the customers loved him!
Sonny loved to travel. He took his family on many vacations, including a month-long trip across the western states in a station wagon and visiting family along the way. Another favorite family vacation was going to Ear Falls, Ontario, to fish at his nephew’s outpost cabin every summer. Most of his travelling usually included visiting friends and family along the way and if there was a casino nearby, all the better. Sonny and Lennie also enjoyed a memorable trip to Alaska and on their 50th anniversary took a trip to Hawaii, which was the culmination of all 50 states! Sonny and Lennie also had two wonderful trips to Australia to visit Joe and Kerryn. A few years ago, Sonny was able to go on a bucket list trip to New York City with his family, which he greatly enjoyed.
Another activity Sonny enjoyed was golfing with friends and family. He didn’t care about his score as much as he enjoyed the laughs and smart talk. He also enjoyed woodworking in his retirement. Sonny made many Adirondack chairs, wooden owls and bird feeders for friends and family. In more recent years he loved his morning coffee spent at the club house with his buddies, laughing, teasing and storytelling. Sonny was a storyteller and just when you thought you’d heard them all, he’d surprise you with a new one. And of course, he loved his family so much and couldn’t resist teasing the kids, grandkids and great grandkids to get them to smile and laugh. His goal was to always make you feel at ease and if he got you to laugh, that was a bonus! Sonny was loved by many and will be greatly missed…
Sonny passed away on Wednesday, December 29, 2021, in his home surrounded by family in Buffalo Lake, Minnesota, at the age of 83 years.
Blessed be his memory.
Sonny is survived by his:
Wife, Lennie Thompson;
Children, Jeanne Stafford and her husband, Tom of Eagan, MN,
Jane Powell and her husband, Craig of Hutchinson, MN,
Joan Taylor and her husband, Jim of Eagan, MN,
Joe Thompson and his wife, Kerryn of Victoria, MN;
Grandchildren, Matthew Stafford and his wife, Hannah, Marie (Stafford) Morales and her husband, Irving, Mitchell Stafford, Jake Powell and his wife, Brooke, Tyler Powell and his wife, Amber, Luke Taylor, Rita Taylor, Connor Taylor, Levi Thompson, Hayley Thompson, and Cassie Thompson;
Great-grandchildren, Harper and Hawkins Powell, Zinnia and Ximena Morales, and newly born on December 28th, Addison Stafford;
Sister, Dorothy Lenning;
Many other relatives and friends.
Sonny is preceded in death by his Parents, Levi and Stella Thompson; Siblings, Leone Kuhlman and her husband, Rex, Pauline Sampson and her husband, Milo, Harlan Thompson and his wife, Imogene, Jeannette Prehm and her husband, John, Ethel Kingkade and her husband, Bob; Brother-in-law, Pat Rush; Sister-in-law, Barb Smith.
Donna(Ondracek)Engelen says
My sympathies to all. Hugs.
The Hayeses says
Joe. So sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. Haven’t talked for a while but didn’t know he was ill. Thoughts and prayers to your mom, Kerryn and the kids. Know you all have great memories of time spent with them. Blessings to all of you.
Betsy Walsh says
To the Thompson Family..he was an awesome guy. I sure loved going out to the house in Hutch when Joe and Kerryns kids were little. Lots of love and fun in that family. I’m sending you heartfelt condolences and prayers for his peaceful transition to heaven.
Phil Neubauer says
Condolences to Lenny, Jean, Jane, Joan and Joe. Some of my best times and memories of my youth where spent with you. Uncle Sonny held a special place in all of our lives. May God continue to bless you all.
Trinity says
Rest In Peace unlce u will be missed
Eva Coates says
Sonny always had a smile on his face and a laugh waiting to come out as he talked. Living next door in my younger years I have fond memories of going to the 7-HI and playing with Jean, Jane, Joan and Joe. To all of you and to sweet Lennie, who holds a special place in my heart, my deepest sympathies. I’m heartbroken with you.
Linda and Jerey says
Jennie and family
So sorry to hear of your loss. My sympathy
to all. I know he will be missed by many.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Diane Kline/James Nielsen says
We are thinking and praying for you during this difficult time. Hugs to all!
Merry Cordes says
Lennie and family, So sad to hear of your loss. We have so many fond memories of you and your family from your Ames days. Will always remember Sonny’s huge smile….making his eyes squint. Will be dropping a note with more memories. Rest In Peace Sonny….he’ll have them laughing in heaven. Love from long time friends, Merry & Vern.
Dee Ann Platzer says
This is so heartbreaking. I loved my uncle and will miss him terribly. My thoughts and prayers will be with all the family and friends he left behind.
Jerry Soesbe says
Lennie—
I am so sorry for your loss. Sonny was the best of the best of our Ames High classmates––liked and respected by all.
––Jerry Soesbe
AHS 1956
Verlyce French says
Lennie and family,
Sympathy to you and your family. Sonny sure could tell some interesting stories.
Hart and Barb Rosebrock says
We were saddened to hear of Sonny’s passing. I have only the fondest memories of him. I worked for Sonny and Lennie at the 7-Hi Motel in Hutchinson. They treated all of us workers like family. When we had morning break, he always had some story to tell us. Both Sonny and Lennie became good friends to be cherished. He will be missed by so many. Hugs to you Lennie and family.
Harriet Tewes says
Lennie and family. My heart goes out to you. I was shocked when I heard of Sonnys passing. We had some great times when we were out west. Those memories will always be with me. Lennie please be strong. God is there for you. Sonny will be smiling down on you.everyday. Your family will take care of you?
James Terrones says
Dear Lennie and family…
I was so saddened by the news of Uncle Sonny’s passing. Then it took me to his smiling eyes I’ll always remember when thinking of him. May he rest in Peace. Hugs around the room to the Thompson family.
James Terrones
Scott Neubauer says
My condolences to Lennie, Jeanne, Jane, Joan, and Joe. I will always remember Uncle Sonny as a funny, happy man. I will never forget our summer vacations to the 7-Hi motel. I remember watching the first moon landing at the motel with all of you. I wanted to attend the funeral, but had Covid so I couldn’t. My prayers are with all of you.