Funeral services for Roger M. Thompson, 69, of Clarks Grove will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at First Baptist Church in Clarks Grove. The Rev. Jamie Cameron will officiate. Interment will be at Clarks Grove Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded by local servicemen’s organizations. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Roger died unexpectedly of a heart attack on Monday, Sept. 11, 2017.

Roger Melone Thompson was born on May 22, 1948, in Albert Lea, the son of Robert and
Marian (Borland) Thompson. He grew up on a dairy farm south of Clarks Grove. Roger
graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1966 and then earned an associate’s degree
from Austin Community College. He worked at Owens Illinois Paper Company until he
was drafted into the U.S. Army during Vietnam.

After his discharge from the military, Roger married Kristine Vande Kamp on June 17, 1970, at Hollandale Reformed Church. He worked for Lembke Construction and Streaters in Albert Lea. Roger later started Thompson Tree Service and Thompson Sanitation.

Roger enjoyed elk hunting in Idaho, along with fox and deer hunting. He spent winters in Arizona. Roger was a member of
First Baptist Church in Clarks Grove, Lions, and Moose. He enjoyed spending time with his grandkids and their activities.

Roger is survived by his children Jacob (Amy) Thompson of Millville, Frank (Kristy) Thompson of Clarks Grove and Courtney (Tom) Vermilyea of Blooming Prairie; grandchildren Schuyler and Taylor Thompson, Jakson Vermilyea and Robert and Anneka Thompson; mother, Marian Thompson, of Clarks Grove; siblings Eugene (Andrea) Thompson, Duane Thompson, Charlotte (Ben) Barrentine, Nathan Thompson, Leslie (Gretchen) Thompson, Linda (Kevin) Kelly, Marvin Thompson and Everett (Karina) Thompson; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Pauline (Paul) Hillman, Timothy (Kristine) Vande Kamp, Jeffery (Virginia) Vande Kamp, Kathleen (Phil) Best and Martin (Julie) Vande Kamp; and many nieces and nephews.

Roger was preceded in death by his father, Robert; his wife, Kristine; and father and mother-in-law William and Charlotte Vande Kamp.