Funeral Mass for Winfield J. Thompson, Sr. 95, of Sisseton, South Dakota will be held on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Sisseton, South Dakota with Rev. Fr. Andrew Knop O.M.I. Celebrant. Interment will be in the St. Matthew's Cemetery, Veblen, South Dakota with Military rites by Otto-Quande-Renville American Legion Post #50 and Ft Sisseton VFW Post #3342. Pallbearers will be Loren Thompson, Monte Thompson, Russell Thompson, Shelby Keeble, Clinton Small, Terrell Cook, Zacharius Thompson, and Nathanielrius Thompson; Honorary Pallbearers will be Harold James Culbertson, Mike Myrum, Gordon Despiegler, Stacy Wanna, Thomas "Hammie" Marks, Richard Wanna, Frederick "Mertz" Small, Duane "Doc" Wanna, Douglas Renville, Ed Williams, Dennis Keeble, Spencer Wanna Jr., Brian Williams and Jake Thompson. Organist will be Sister Aurelia Palm.
Winfield J. Thompson Sr. was born on October 5, 1914 to Jacob and Jenny (Wanna) Thompson in Veblen, South Dakota. He was one of 13 children, Ed, Zack, Benjamin, Nicholas, Andrew, Peter, Angus, Howard, Lucille, Lydia, Matilda and Elizabeth. He attended school at Wahpeton, ND and Pierre, SD. The family moved to a farm down home to Browns Valley in 1936. Winfield entered the US Army on April 9, 1941. Winfield was captured on April 9, 1942 while attached to 194th Tank Bn. He was imprisoned at Camp O'Donnell, Luzon Philippine Island from 4/9/42 to 5/6/42; Work detail at Balanga, Luzon, Philippine Island 5/7/42 – 7/31/42; Jap Prison Camp #l, Cabanatuan, Luzon, Philippine Island 8/1/42 to 7/15/44, and Prison Camp #23 Kyushu, Japan from 7/16/44 to 9/19/45 when he was released. He obtained the rank of SGT and was awarded the following medals; Prisoner of War Medal, American Defense Service ribbon with Bronze Star, Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon with 3 bronze battle stars, Philippine Defense Ribbon, 8 Overseas Service Bars, 1 Service Stripe, and the Good Conduct Medal. He was discharged from the Army on May 3, 1946. After returning from the US Army he was united in marriage to Virginia Redday on October 20, 1946 at Sisseton, SD. To this union 7 children were born, Bonnie, Linda, Wanda, Monica, Benjie, Teresa and Jr. He worked as an iron worker in St. Paul for numerous years. He returned to Browns Valley in 1958 where he lived with his brothers and sister (down home). He and his brothers farmed and worked for their neighbors in rural Browns Valley. He retired from farming and moved to the Sisseton Low Rise where he lived for the past 13 years. He enjoyed being with his children and grandchildren. He loved playing cards (31), baseball, football, reading, and his favorite past time was going to the Dakota Magic Casino playing the machines. He was a member of St. Catherine's Catholic Church and a life member of Ft Sisseton VFW Post #3342. Winfield passed away suddenly on November 6, 2009 at Fargo, North Dakota from injuries sustained in an auto accident north of Sisseton. He will be greatly missed by his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, relatives and friends.
Winfield was preceded in death by his parents, wife, 8 brothers and 4 sisters, 2 grandsons Corey Keeble and Louis Michael Stevens and 1 infant great grandson.
Winfield is survived by 7 children, Bonnie Thompson of Browns Valley, MN, Linda Thompson of Sisseton, SD, Wanda Thompson of Sisseton, SD, Monica Thompson of Sisseton, SD, Benjamin Thompson of Browns Valley, MN, Teresa Thompson of Agency Village, SD and Winfield Jr. Thompson, 16 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.