David Lynn Thompson, 76, of Round Lake, Minnesota, passed away on November 22, 2024, in Spirit Lake, surrounded by family and friends. Born November 3, 1948, to Frank Joseph and Lorraine Emma Louise (Reiners) Thompson, he was the youngest of three children. David graduated from Round Lake High School in 1966 and studied industrial arts, auto mechanics, education, and English at Mankato State College, graduating in 1971.
In 1972, Dave began his teaching career in Mora, Minnesota, where he taught vocational auto mechanics. In 1978, he moved his young family back to Round Lake to farm alongside his father and grandfather. In addition to farming, he operated Thompson Spraying with his father from 1963 through the mid-1990s. Along with his son, David continued the family legacy of farming until his passing.
Dave mastered many hobbies over the years; he designed and built custom engines, amassed extensive car collections his entire life, and built two homes for his family. He loved working on cars and knew the most intimate details of every American car. He became a pilot and completely restored his Piper Cherokee plane. Dave had refined metalsmithing skills, passed down from his father and held Tuesday Tool Time parties at his woodshop with friends – complete with escargot and steak.
Dave loved working in the shop with his sons, building hot rods, cars, and boats, riding Harleys, woodworking, boating in Okoboji, cooking, photography, going cruising, and stopping to visit fellow grease monkeys. Dave instilled a hard work ethic and inspired others – he could even make cleaning the garage an exciting task for his kids. He always had a smile, a story to tell, and loved hosting shop parties and welcoming friends whenever the garage door was open. Dave loved taking his dog, Charlie, for a drive and to the bar for jerky.
David was a member of several local organizations, including the El Riad Shriners in Sioux Falls, the Round Lake Sportsman’s Club, the Round Lake School Board, the Moose Lodge in Cape Coral, Florida, the Worthington Trap Club, the Round Lake Sons of the American Legion, and the First Presbyterian Church in Round Lake.
David married Sandra Shevik on November 25, 1972. Though they later divorced, they shared 42 meaningful years together with their children. In his later years, David enjoyed spending winters in Florida with his partner, Carol Loeffelholz, with whom he shared a love for travel and life on the water.
David is survived by his children, Jenifer Lee Thompson of Lake Park, IA; John Thompson of Round Lake, MN; Dana (David) Sniadak of Lakeville, MN; and Daniel Thompson of Fargo, ND; his grandchildren, Frank Feldman, Joseph Sniadak, and June Sniadak; his sister, Eleanor Grubb of Powder Springs, GA; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends. David was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Lorraine Thompson and sister, Celeste Frances Chalfonte.
David’s love for his friends and family, humorous conversation, and passion for his hobbies will resonate for years. Dave was always the life of the party – always encouraging friends to have “just one more…”
David Thompson’s Celebration of Life Party will be held Friday, December 13, at Johnny’s Pub in Lake Park, Iowa, from 3:00 – 7:00pm.
