Waldo Ellard Thompson, 89, of Thief River Falls, MN, died on Thursday, January 12, 2023, at the Thief River Falls Care Center, MN.

Funeral services will be 2PM Friday, January 20, 2023, at Johnson Funeral Service Chapel, Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be from 1PM to 2PM at the funeral home.

Lunch will follow the service and burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN.

On June 21, 1933, Waldo was born to Theodore and Bella (Hestekind) Thompson at Thief River Falls, MN.  He was raised in the Viking area, where Waldo attended country school.  He began working at an early age.  Working with his father building homes and learning to work on cars began his career.

Waldo was united in marriage on December 10, 1952 to Lois Loeffler in Thief River Falls.  They were blessed with five children: Barbara, Carol, Paula, Ellard, and Jodi.  He began working at Land O Lakes at their grain elevator driving semi trucks.  Waldo worked there until retiring on July 1, 1995.  He married Beverly Rude on June 21, 1976, Sisseton, SD.

Waldo enjoyed hunting, until eyes failed with Macular Degeneration, fishing and playing cards. He was a quiet and gentle man who loved his family.  He enjoyed driving truck as he was able to meet and get to know many of his clients.

Waldo is survived by his wife, Beverly, Greenbush, MN, children: Barbara (Mike Solsten) Holthusen, Thief River Falls, MN, Paula (Kevin) Olson, Thief River Falls, MN, Jodi (Robert) Rolland, McKinney, TX, and son-in-law Roger Estabrooks -children, Kimberly (William) Willkom, and Corey (Sylvia) Rude, grandchildren, Christy (Timothy) Quinn, Keri (Kevin) Sorter, Heather Oistad, Dale (Jennifer) Lund, Jason (Tannia) Lund, Amy (Kenneth) Sylskar, Travis (Jessica) Olson, Keaton Rolland, and Connor Rolland, step-grandchildren, Michael (Lyndsi) Murphy, Delaney Imberi, Alex (Ashley Dunham) Rude, and Dia (Andrew) Rominski, 18 great grandchildren and 6 step great-grandchildren and cousins, nephews and nieces.

Preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Lois, children, Carol Estabrooks and Ellard Thompson, grandson Scott, step grandson John Murphy, siblings, Henry and Loyal.