Adrian L. Thompson, 60, died on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 at the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis, MN after a courageous battle with cancer due to Agent Orange poisoning in Vietnam.

Funeral service will be 11:00 AM, Monday, May 1, 2006 at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. Gary Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in the Holt Cemetery, Holt, MN.

Visitation will be held 2-5 on Sunday, April 30, 2006 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with a prayer service at 5:00 PM. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.

Adrian Abe Thompson was born on May 20, 1945 in Thief River Falls, MN to Clayton and Gunda (Matson) Thompson. He was baptized at Rindal Lutheran Church and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1963.

Abe was drafted into the Army and served in the Vietnam War from September of 1965 to September of 1967. After being discharged from the Army, Abe worked for his brother in law William Robson in the beekeeping business for 25 years. Partnering with Bruce Hanson, Abe started a beekeeping business in Redfield, SD, and Grapeland, Texas in 1995 which he continued until the time of his death.

He was a member of the Sioux Bee Honey Association, American Bee Keeping Federation and the South Dakota Beekeepers Association. Abe was a lifetime member of the VFW in Redfield, SD.

Abe will be remembered as a beloved brother, cherished uncle and a friend to all who knew him. He was the kindest and gentlest of souls. When Abe wasnt busy with his beekeeping business, he spent time planting and tending his vegetable and flower gardens. He was generous in sharing the fruits of his labor with wonderful canned goods for his family and friends. Always by his side were his dogs Happy, Buddy, and Sooie and when they couldnt be with him while battling his cancer, his new canine friend Bo was there to look after him.

Abe will be greatly missed by his three sisters: Carolyn (Bernard) Casavan, Wessington, SD, Joan (William) Robson, Thief River Falls, MN; Elaine Abby (Bruce Thorstenson), Coon Rapids, MN; and 3 brothers, Clayton Bud Thompson, Thief River Falls, MN; Harold (Verna) Thompson, Thief River Falls, MN, Erling (Clare) Thompson, Aztec, NM; sister in law Elaine Thompson, New Rockford, ND, 26 nieces and nephews, 51 great nieces and nephews, 11 great great nieces and nephews; and friend and business partner Bruce Hanson.

Abe was preceded in death by his parents, Clayton and Gunda Thompson, sister Gloria in infancy, brother Orrin Thompson, sister in law Barbara Thompson, nephew David Casavan, and his grandparents.