Dawn Marie Thompson

Dawn Thompson, age 60, of Marshall, Minnesota, formerly of East Grand Forks, Minnesota, died on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, at the Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Memorial Services are 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 30, 2024, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall, Minnesota. Following Military Honors, a luncheon for attendees will be held at the AmericInn Hotel in Marshall. Interment will be at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, in the Canby City Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to her celebration, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. on Monday, also at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall.

Dawn Marie Thompson was born on August 4, 1964, in Marshall, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Elroy and Joyce (Larson) Thompson. Dawn was baptized as an infant and confirmed in her youth at First Lutheran Church in Marshall. Dawn was very successful in basketball during her school years and graduated from Marshall High School with the class of 1982. Dawn went on to attend college at Southwest State University where she thrived in her basketball career and also played fast-pitch softball, eventually landing in the collegiate Hall of Fame. She graduated in 1986 and then enlisted in the United States Air Force where she served her country for the next four years.

In the early 1990s, Dawn met her life partner, Charlotte Sjostrand, and the couple raised Char's 3 girls. They made their home in East Grand Forks, Minnesota, where Dawn worked for 33 years at the Grand Forks Air Force Base. She was the youth director there until her retirement in 2019. After Char's death in 2017, and her retirement, Dawn decided to move back to Marshall to be near her family in 2020. 

Dawn's enjoyments in life included fishing, camping, watching the Minnesota Vikings, and participating in any family gathering. She was often referred to as the rock of the group and all knew that they could lean on her. She formed many strong friendships over the years both at work and in her community.

Dawn Thompson died following a valiant battle with cancer on December 24, 2024, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She reached the age of 60 years, 4 months, and 20 days. Blessed be her memory.

She is survived by her 3 step-daughters, Shaina and (Wess) Philome of Fargo, ND, Kia (and John) Bosma of Glyndon, Lani Glover of Grand Forks, ND; step-grandson, Jager Bosma; mother, Joyce Thompson of Marshall; sister, Jodi Thompson of Marshall; 3 nieces, Ashley Thompson of Grand Forks, ND, Kayla Thompson of Marshall, Brittany Moravetz of Hendricks; 4 great-nieces and nephews, Jordan, Ryker, Paisley, Kinsley; other relatives and many friends. 

Dawn was preceded in death by her father, Elroy Thompson; life partner of 23 years, Charlotte Sjostrand; step-son-in-law, Michael Glover; and brother, James "Jimmy T" Thompson.