Leroy Thompson

LeRoy Ingvald Thompson, aged 91, of rural Brainerd passed into our Lord’s arms on Saturday, February 22nd, 2025. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, March 3, 2025 at Zion Lutheran Church in Brainerd, MN. Burial will take place in the Vaale Cemetery in Brainerd, MN. A visitation will be held from 4-6 P.M. on Sunday, March 2, 2025 at the Halvorson-Taylor Funeral Home in Brainerd, MN and from 10-11 A.M. on Monday, March 3, 2025 at Zion Lutheran Church in Brainerd, MN. Caring for LeRoy and his family is the Halvorson-Taylor Funeral Home in Brainerd, MN.

LeRoy was born on March 16th, 1933 to Engvald and Helen Thompson. He was baptized and confirmed into the Christian faith and has been a long-time member of Zion Lutheran Church in Brainerd.

LeRoy enlisted and served in the Army from 1953 to 1955. He married Dorothy Wilkins on September 25th, 1954 in Brainerd, where they then shared 69 years of wedded bliss, and together, they started their dream of farming for a living. LeRoy, an experienced carpenter, built the family home and many farm buildings, and raised hogs and crops. Even at busy times, LeRoy always had time to stop and enjoy visiting with family or friends. LeRoy’s sons Bruce and Dale returned to the farm in 1982 and 1991, and now granddaughter Amber (Russell) Woitalla has joined in as the fourth generation to continue the family farm legacy.

LeRoy’s hobbies included restoring vintage John Deere tractors and tinkering with his 1958 Chevy Bel Air and his 1941 Chevy pickup. LeRoy was most proud of his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids and all of their accomplishments. He was preceded in death by his parents; beloved wife Dorothy; grandson Brackett; and great-grandchildren Elliott and Micah. LeRoy is survived by sons Bruce (Terri) and Dale (Lori); daughter Bonnie (Steve) Hillman; grandchildren Stafford (Emma), Eleanor, Sarah (Jason) Dano, Amber (Russell) Woitalla, Rebecca (Brandon) Osvold, Tyler (Hayley) Hillman, and Nathan (Ellen) Hillman; and great-grandchildren Kylie, Claire, Jimmie, Kaylee, Nick, Peter, Max, Keith, Abigail, Lily, Lilah, and Soren. LeRoy is also survived by a close cousin, Duane (Flo) Henningson; lifelong friends, James (Betty Lou) Johnson and Conrad (Cookie) Olsen.

The family would like to thank Pastor Paul Biegner for his in-home visits and the Pierz Villa staff for their care and friendship.