Former West Union woman dies July 12

Violet O. Thompson, 85, formerly of West Union, died Friday, July 12, 2013. 

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, at Saint Andrew Christian Church in Olathe, Kan. 

A private interment will follow at a later date in Springfield, Mo.

Violet Ornellia “Vi” (Landsgaard) Thompson was born July 30, 1927, in Lansing to Norwegian immigrants Vebjorn and Olga Landsgaard. 

She graduated from West Union High School and obtained her teaching certificate from Upper Iowa University in Fayette. Before she was married, Vi taught in a two-room schoolhouse in Frog Hollow, between West Union and Fayette.

On June 2, 1947, she was united in marriage with Glen Thompson in Gunder. They were married for 56 years.

Throughout their lives, Vi and Glen lived in several cities, including Clarinda, Ia.; Saint Joseph, Mo.; Manhattan, Kan.; and Oklahoma City, Okla.

In 1968, Vi returned to school, earning her LPN nursing degree. She worked at a nursing home and various doctor’s offices before retiring in 1982. 

During their retirement, Glen and Vi spent their summers on a farm in Clarinda and their winters in Arizona before moving to Springfield, Mo. There, they enjoyed day trips to Silver Dollar City and shows in Branson.

Vi also enjoyed gardening, dancing, playing cards, and spending time with her family. As a fan of the outdoors, she liked walking and observing wildlife. 

She was a lifelong member of the Lutheran church and was active in her local congregations. 

An excellent cook, Vi will be remembered for her pancake recipe, as well as her Norwegian pastries: flatbread, krumkakes, and fattigman bakkels.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Glen; her brothers, Gunnar, Esten, Ole, and Bill Landsgaard; and her sister, Thelma McFarlane.

Violet is survived by her two children, Bruce Thompson and Dawn (Brad) Olney; and two granddaughters, Adrienne and Megan Olney. 

Memorials may be sent to the American Heart Association by visiting honor.americanheart.org and choosing “Memorials and Tributes.” 

Online condolences may be left at www.walnutlawnfuneralhome.com.