Karen Elizabeth Thompson

Karen Elizabeth Thompson, age 69, of Fountain City, WI formerly Mondovi, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday December 13, 2012 at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse with her loving family at her side following a brief yet courageous battle with cancer. She was born on October 6, 1943 in Mondovi, a daughter of the late Marvin and Eleanore (Sie) Olson. Karen attended grade school at Naples elementary school. She then attended Mondovi High School, graduating with the class of 1961. On July 16, 1966 Karen was united in marriage to Benjamin Dale Thompson in Winona, MN. To this union, two daughters were born. After their marriage, Karen and Ben lived in Mondovi, but soon moved to Fountain City area where they have resided since. Karen was a long time employee at Watlow Controls, Inc. She retired in 2006. She was a member of Hope United Church of Christ where she was an active member of the ladies aide and the church organist. Karen and her husband loved traveling. They would plan trips that would take them to the Black Hills, SD, Branson, MO or just a drive to northern Wisconsin to see the fall colors just to name a few. You would often find Karen on the seat of one of their antique tractors or on the Buffalo River Trail in Mondovi taking a ride on her four-wheeler to Osseo with Ben for pie at the Norske Nook. Karen will be remembered for her long overtime hours she would put in at work only to come home and start canning vegetables from her enormous garden. The fondest of memories that Karen will be remembered for is her gracious and giving heart. Karen will be desperately missed by her husband of the past 46 years, Ben of Fountain City; daughters, Tamara Hassell of Ft. Walton Beach, FL and Kathleen (Eric) Gaustad of La Crosse; 4 precious grandchildren, Tonya Hassell, Erika, Matthew and Samuel Gaustad; one great grandson, Trevor Gaustad; three brothers, John (Maxine) of Mondovi, Dennis (Bernadette) of Mondovi and Lynn (special friend, Linda) of Sun Prairie; also by a “tractor load” of nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. Karen was preceded in death by her parents. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 20th at 11:00 AM at Central Lutheran Church, Mondovi with Pastor Marcy Heil officiating with the assistance of Pastor Rolf Morck. Cremation will follow the service. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 19th from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the Talbot Family Funeral Home, Alma Chapel and again on Thursday from 10:00 AM until the hour of the service at Central Lutheran Church, Mondovi. Share your memories or send your sympathy to Karen’s family at www.talbotfuneralhomes.com