Funeral services for Earl B. Thompson, 86, of Albert Lea will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church. The Rev. Matt Griggs will officiate. Interment will be at Central Freeborn Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Earl died Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018, at Mayo Clinic Health Systems in Austin.

Earl Bruce Thompson was born April 20, 1931, the son of Hartwick and Gladys (Reistad) Thompson. Born and raised in Albert Lea, he graduated from Albert Lea High School. Earl farmed all of his life and was a recipient of the Outstanding Young Farmer Award.

He served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps.

On July 19, 1953, Earl was united in marriage to Ruth Paulson at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church. He was a life-long member of Central Freeborn Lutheran Church, serving on the church council and Central Freeborn Cemetery Board. Earl was also a past member of the boards of St. John’s Lutheran Community, Manchester-Hartland Telephone Company, the Village Co-op and a member of the Gideons.

Earl is survived by his wife, Ruth; children Wendy (Barry) Moszer, Brian (Nora) Thompson and Mark (Dawn) Thompson; grandchildren Amber (Bronson) Power, Marie (Todd) Schrankel, Emily (Jon) Kruse, Eric (Megan) Thompson, Travis Thompson and Samantha Jean Thompson; seven great-grandchildren; brothers Donald (Barb) Thompson and Roger (Mary Lee) Thompson; sister-in- law, Marjorie Lau; brother-in-law, Harold (Myrna) Paulson; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Robert Moszer; and father- and mother-in-law Walter and Helga Paulson.