Mildred H. Thompson

Mildred Harriet Bowman Thompson was born August 9, 1921 to Mabel Ella (Berry) and Robert Richard Bowman. She was born on a farm northwest of Cawker City. Her family lived on several different farms.
Mildred enjoyed life, but due to health issues, she could not keep up with her friends in physical activities. Even so, she rarely complained, and lived a full, enjoyable life.
Art was as activity she truly enjoyed as a child, and continued to pursue as an adult. She was very good at drawing, and has painted many pictures for members of her family. She was good at needlework, and made beautiful quilts for her children, grandchildren and great -grandchildren. As a youth, she enjoyed tap dancing. She was an avid reader.
Mildred graduated from Athens High School with the class of 1939, and attended her 60th. class reunion in 1999. After graduation, she taught at rural schools in the area. She updated her teaching certificate and taught at Glen Elder Grade School for 2 years. She was a driving force in getting Kindergarten started in the Glen Elder School System.
Mildred married Paul C. Thompson on March 15, 1946 in Downs, Kansas. They had two sons - Michael Paul and Phillip Joe. They lived south of Glen Elder, and then moved to Glen Elder, where they farmed and Paul was shop foreman at Richardson Mfg. Co. Mildred also helped at Richardson's during the busy season. In 1965 they bought Mastin and Mastin OK Tire and moved to Beloit. During the early years at Thompson's OK Tire, she was bookkeeper, janitor, tire trimmer and painter, and helped Paul on the tire routes. She put in long hours to help make the business a success. In later years she was the office manager.
Millie, as many of her friends called her, was a sports fan. She had to be. She especially enjoyed watching football and basketball. She enjoyed bowling, and liked to play pinochle with the Country Club Ladies. She was a member of Qui Bene. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Beloit, and maintained an unwavering Faith in the Lord.
She was preceeded in death by her parents, Bob and Mabel Bowman, and brother John Bowman.
Left to mourn her passing and celebrate her life are Paul, her husband of 62 years, her children Mike and wife Kathy Thompson and Phil and wife Carol Thompson, both of Beloit, her sister Dorothy and husband Roy Timbers of Glen Elder, sister Roberta Tucker of Denver, Co., sister- in- law Velda Bowman of Cawker City, brother- in- law Rex and wife Joyce Thompson of Beloit, and sister- in- law Barbara and husband Orlo Brokaw of Glen Elder; four Grandchildren, Dr. Chad and wife Sheila Thompson of Beloit, Suzann and husband Darwin Bouray of Beloit, Dr. Matt Thompson and fiancee Christine Garton of Washington, D.C., and Tony and wife Stacy Thompson of Beloit; five great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM Friday, April 18, at the Beloit United Methodist Church with burial at Glenwood Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the church or Solomon Valley Hospice. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM Thursday at the McDonald Funeral Home.