Diane M. Thompson, 68, Brandon, was received into heaven Nov. 5, 2016, at her home surrounded by her family after a courageous battle with cancer.
Visitation with family present will be from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016, with a time of sharing at 7 p.m. at Heartland Funeral Home. A private burial on Thursday, Nov. 10, will precede the 11 a.m. Celebration of Life at Brandon Lutheran Church.
Diane was born on Sept. 9, 1948, to Dick and Esther (Van Wyhe) Vande Hoef in Orange City, Iowa. In 1949 Diane moved to Artesia, California, with her parents where they resided until 1951. The family then moved to a farm near Steen, Minnesota. Diane worked on the farm helping milk the herd of dairy cows. This, along with other chores, kept her busy as a young girl. She appreciated the farm life and all it had to offer to her family. Diane would live with her family there until September 1967.
In 1964 she fell in love with her high school classmate, Steven Thompson, when they were only 15 1/2 years old. Steve would help Diane on date nights with milking and their closeness grew. First they went “steady,” got engaged and then married on Sept. 16, 1967.
After graduating from Luverne High School in 1966, Diane began her career in bookkeeping. It served her well over her lifetime in a variety of full and part-time positions. In 1968 Steve enlisted in the Army and Diane joined him later in the fall of 1968. In 1969 Diane would again join Steve in the Panama Canal Zone for a year. In 1970 they moved to Killeen, Texas, where they spent a year until June of 1971. Back to Sioux Falls for a year, then in 1972, the couple moved to Omaha, Nebraska, and then on to Lincoln, Nebraska. In Omaha Diane gave birth to daughter Kimberly Brooke. In Lincoln came son, Richard Steven. In 1989 another career move took them to Orange City, Iowa. The family would reside there until 2002. Diane worked 11 years for Boonstra Kirby. In 2002 they moved to Brandon, South Dakota. It was there that Diane and Steve founded The 1948 Trading Company and worked in it together until selling it in 2013. In 2006 Diane and Steve were named Brandon, business owners of the year.
Along the way, Diane and Steve developed dozens of lifelong friendships. They traveled the United States and Canada extensively together or with their young family. Diane was the “glue” that always held everything together for the busy family. She enjoyed cross-stitch, macramé, crafts, writing letters and cards, golf, card club, and coffee with friends and family.
Her passion for friends and family was fueled by putting everyone else first. Her steady, guiding, loving personality was admired and appreciated by all that she touched.
Her devotion to her husband, children, children’s spouses, grandchildren, and friends is a gift given to many. Her steadfastness and genuine love was also felt by hundreds of friends, relatives, immediate family and strangers alike.
Her husband, Steve, daughter Kim, son Rick, daughter-in-law Amy, son-in-law Jesse and grandchildren oldest to youngest; Trey, Brooklyn, Noah, Aspen, Braxton and Cam have received the greatest gift Diane possessed: unconditional love. Her ability to be the matriarch and strength of her family was always present.
Diane reveled in the growth and accomplishments, big or small, of her children and grandchildren. Her example will be in their hearts as they continue to move forward knowing that she is always there in spirit.
A recent text from a close friend on Nov. 5, the day she went to heaven, said it best. “Steve, I listened to you talk about Diane and she was always content with whatever she had throughout your life together, and Diane never really asked for anything.” The Bible verse she shared with me was Philippians 4:12. Our friend went on to say, “I can’t say I ever learned that secret myself, but it’s certainly something to strive for!”
As her husband, I can tell you she was the most “extraordinary ordinary” woman that most of us know or will ever know. Blessed be the memory of a Godly servant of the Lord. Her love will endure with us forever as she now dwells in the house of her Creator forever.
Diane will be deeply missed by her husband, Steven; Kimberly (Jesse) Moffitt, Sioux Center, Iowa, and Richard (Amy) Thompson, Brandon; six grandchildren, Trey, Brooklyn, Noah, Aspen, Braxton, and Cam; and three siblings, Elaine (Allen) Boeve, Steen, Ladonna (Jerry) Behnke, Rapid City, and Kevin Vande Hoef, Larchwood, Iowa.
Diane was preceded in death by her parents, Dick and Esther Vande Hoef; an infant brother, Milo Dean; and another brother, Milen Dale.
A memorial for Diane has been established in lieu of flowers.
Arrangements were by Heartland Funeral Home of Brandon, South Dakota, www.heartlandfunerals.com.
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