Kenneth Thompson

Kenneth W. Thompson, 90, passed away peacefully on August 27, 2025, at Essentia Health in Fargo, ND. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Marie, along with their four children, five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

The eldest of four children, Ken was born to Elmer and Lucille (Metzger) Thompson on the family farm near Walhalla, ND. He graduated from Walsh County Agricultural School in Park River in 1953 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy-Soils from North Dakota Agricultural College (now North Dakota State University) in 1958. While at NDSU, Ken was an active leader, serving as president of the Agronomy Club, a member of the Student Union Activities Board, and participating in the Air Force ROTC, Arnold Air Society, and the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. As such, he was a devoted lifelong Bison fan.

In 1959, Ken was introduced to his future wife, Marie Margerum, on a blind date. They were married on June 25, 1960, in Pembina, ND. Together, they shared a full and rich life, raising a family while remaining deeply engaged in their community and church. Ken had a variety of lifelong hobbies, including hunting, fishing, reading, and arrowhead and coin collecting. He was also a passionate lifelong learner, always eager to share his vast knowledge with his children and grandchildren.

Ken proudly served in the North Dakota Air National Guard, enlisting in 1953 and continuing his service until 1979, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel and Supply Officer.

From 1959 to 1990, he served as a soil scientist with the USDA Soil Conservation Service, working in Langdon and Dickinson, ND, as well as in Macon, GA; Artesia, NM; and Lawrenceville, GA. He was the Soil Survey Party Leader for Pembina County and retired as an Area Soil Scientist in Dickinson. After retirement, Ken continued to serve his community as the first employee of the Southwest Water Authority, as a part-time employee with the Stark County Weed Board, and as a crop adjuster for both Nodak Mutual and National Crop Insurance Services.

Ken was deeply committed to professional and civic organizations. He served for 15 years as secretary-treasurer of the North Dakota State Board of Registration for Professional Soil Classifiers and was an active member of the Professional Soil Classifiers Association, Langdon Jaycees, and Queen City Toastmasters, where he held numerous leadership positions and received several honors. He was also a life member of the NRA, the Walhalla Valley Rifle Club, and the North Dakota National Guard high-power rifle team.

In addition to his community involvement, Ken was an author, researching and writing "A History of Soil Survey in North Dakota" and "Genealogy of the Thompson and Metzger Families." He and Marie were also counselors for Pre-Marriage Inventory at Queen of Peace Church for 22 years, working with 42 couples to help them build strong foundations for marriage.

Ken is survived by his wife, Marie, of Fargo; daughter Michelle (Mike) Sirkis of Everett, WA; son Kevin Thompson of Garden City, KS; daughter Kathryn (Tom) Gay of Fargo, ND; and son David (Laurie) Thompson of Buckeye, AZ. His grandchildren include Brayden (Amanda) Thompson of Plano, TX, and their daughter Ivy; Parker Thompson of Mesa, AZ; Sam Gay of Fargo; Ren Gay of Moorhead, MN; and Adam Sirkis of Madison, WI; and his siblings, Gerald Thompson of Mesa, AZ; Marilyn Vanata of St. Augustine, FL; and Sharon Korpatnicki of Walhalla, ND; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Lucille Thompson.

Ken's life was one of service, learning, and devotion to his family, community, and country. His love, wisdom, and example will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Go, Bison!