Darrell R. Thompson

Darrell Ross Thompson, 77, of Lyman, NE, passed away with his family by his side Tuesday, October 31, 2006, at Heritage Estates in Gering, NE. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, November 3, 2006, at Dugan-Kramer Funeral Chapel in Scottsbluff, NE, with Pastor Carroll Plisek officiating. Cremation has already taken place at Sunset Memorial Park Crematory. Inurnment will follow the service at Fairview Cemetery in Scottsbluff, NE. Darrell was born July 23, 1929, at Morrill, NE, the son of Leonard A. and Mary (Emerson) Thompson. He grew up in the rural areas surrounding Lyman and Huntley as the family moved to various farms in the area. He graduated from Huntley High School in 1947. On October 10, 1947, he married Donna Mae Koza of Huntley at Gering. The couple recently celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary with their family. After marriage, the couple farmed in the Minatare and Banner County areas. In 1966 the couple bought a farm south of Lyman, where they resided until September, 2005, when Darrell became a resident at Heritage Estates. For several summers, Darrell worked at Scottsbluff Landscaping and Village Garden Center. He then went to work for Holly Sugar in Torrington, WY for twelve years until his retirement. Darrell enjoyed spending time with his family, fishing at area lakes, and helping neighbors. Darrell was a hard worker who enjoyed spending his spare time in the shop. He was also an avid fan of his children’s and grandchildren’s activities. Darrell was a past member of the I.O.O.F. Lodge of Minatare and school board member of the Wheatland School District #13. He was an Honorary FFA Chapter Sponsor and a member of the area’s Beet Growers Association. Survivors include his wife, Donna Thompson; daughter, Lorie Zimmerer and her husband Bruce of Huntley; son, Michael Thompson and wife Roxann of Scottsbluff; son, Ken Thompson and wife Kathy of Alliance; grandchildren, Patrick and Amie Zimmerer, of Huntley, Tyler Thompson of Scottsbluff, Andy and Ashley Thompson of Alliance; sisters, Idell Bower and husband Floyd of Torrington, Pat Stone of Ocean Springs, MS, and Sharon Gilmore of Springfield, MO; brothers, Burdett Thompson and wife Ethelyn of Sargent, NE, Lester Thompson and wife Gloria of Gering, Farish Thompson and wife Sue of Afton, WY, and Leonard Thompson of Lyman; sisters-in-law, Fran Koza of Dothan, AL, and Jerri Koza of Loveland, CO. Preceding him in death were his parents; daughter, Lynnette Marie; brother, Denton Thompson; sister, Isma Nab; brothers-in-law, Gene and Harold Koza