Marion Thompson

Marion Anna (Enger) Thompson, 94, of Great Falls, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours on Sunday, May 18th at Highgate Senior Living. A vigil service will be held Friday, May 23, 2014 at 7 pm at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 201 44th Street South. Funeral liturgy will be Saturday, May 24, 2014 at 10 am at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Inurnment will be held at a later date. OConnor Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Marion was born May 23, 1919, on the family homestead in Wayne, MT, to Martin Enger and Anna (Glaser) Enger. She was the third child in a family of four children: sister Martha Herigon, and brothers Bernhard Enger and Harold Enger. Her father, Martin Enger was from Storehammer, Norway. His family immigrated to the United States in 1877. In the 1890s, Martin moved out west to Montana in search of bigger opportunities. He worked in the mines in Hughesville, MT and homesteaded the farm near Wayne in 1908. He would farm the land for the rest of his life with his wife Anna, whom he married on November 28, 1912. Anna was born February 8, 1887 in German Austria. She immigrated to the United States in 1910. In 1911, she moved to Great Falls and married in 1912. She and Martin farmed the land and raised four wonderful children. Marion attended Wayne School for grades one through eight. She graduated from Belt Valley High School in 1937. Upon graduating, she took a correspondence course in business and received certification in business administration, stenography, and bookkeeping. She then went to Commercial College in Great Falls. In October 1939, she went to work for the Great Falls Credit Exchange. She worked for eight weeks without pay until she was accepted as a paid employee. In November 1944, she moved to Long Beach, CA with a high school friend Iris Daffern. In California, she worked at the Credit Bureau, the Air Base, and at Bank of America. On October 15, 1945, she married a former Belt classmate and the true love of her life, Woodruff “Woody” Thompson. He was serving in the United States Navy. Thus began an amazing relationship that would continue over many decades. On July 5, 1946, they had a daughter, Janis Lee Thompson. By May 1947, the young family had saved enough money to return to their home state of Montana. Marion went back to work for the Great Falls Credit Bureau. On October 28th, 1953, they had a son, Gregg Martin Thompson. In 1983, Marion retired from the Credit Bureau after a total of forty-three years of service. Throughout her years, Marion lived life with a kind and gentle spirit. She enjoyed arts and crafts, games and crossword puzzles, and most of all spending time with her family and numerous friends. She was a committed and faithful volunteer and believed wholeheartedly in sharing her time and talents with those around her. She put forth over 6000 hours as a Columbus Hospital Volunteer. She was a faithful member of Holy Rosary Circle at St. Gerards Church, ABWA, and RSVP. She and Woody bowled and golfed together, took lots of country rides, celebrated special occasions large and small, and thoroughly enjoyed watching their family grow. In later years, she loved gardening, nature hikes, visiting with friends, and shopping with her grandchildren. She was especially proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, sharing their stories and accomplishments with a sense of great pride. Marion is survived by her daughter, Janis Tholen and her husband, Harry of Great Falls; and son Gregg Thompson of Billings. She is also survived by grandchildren Renee Tholen King (Gordon) of Missoula, Becky Tholen Hatler (Scott) of Billings and Janis Thompson Bushman (Gavin) of Billings. Her six great grandchildren; Tatum, Isley, Kendal, Gabe, Riley and Greggy all feel very blessed to have had their “Great Grandma Marion” for so long. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Marion was preceded in death by her loving husband of sixty-eight years, Woody Thompson; her parents; siblings; grandson John Thompson; and many, many good friends. The family wishes to acknowledge the loving care Marion received in her years at Highgate Senior Living. Memorials are suggested to Holy Spirit Parish or The Ursuline Retreat and Conference Centre.