Roger S. Thompson

Roger Stewert Thompson, 96, passed away May 3, 2018 at the Fond du Lac Lutheran Home. He was born May 11, 1921 in Grafton, ND, the son of Clarence and Eva (Schlange) Thompson. He grew up in Superior, WI with his two brothers, Lyle and Kay and sister, Ivaloe. They preceded him in death. He started working for the Soo Line Railroad before going to serve his country overseas during WWII.

Roger was inducted into the Army in 1942. He was very proud to be part of the 2nd Armored Division known as “Hell On Wheels”. Roger drove jeep and was a forward observer as part of the 92nd Field Artillery Unit. Christmas Eve 1942 he landed in Casablanca, 1943 he was in England and in 1944 he was in Ardennes, Belgium, for the “Battle of the Bulge.” His unit also participated in the D-Day invasion, landing on the Normandy Coast, Omaha Sector. He told the story of having to waterproof his jeep and driving it off the landing craft through water up to his neck onto the beach.

The battles he participated in were Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe. Some of the military decorations he received were the Good Conduct Medal, a Bronze Star, the Belgian Fourragere with colors, the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with 1 Silver Battle Star, 5 Overseas Service Bars and 1 Service Stripe.

On March 16, 1946 Roger married Helen May Burroughs. She preceded in death on August 5, 2001. They resided in North Fond du Lac their entire married life.

Surviving Roger are his five children: Sandra (Peter) James, Toni (Harry) Sass, Joan (Philip) Perry, Ruth (Gale) Bohlman and Peter Thompson. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren: James (Patti) James, Joshua (Katie) James, Rebecca (Joe) Gurno, Leslie (Jason) Manthey, Kristofor Perry, Brett Perry, Travis (Theresa) Perry, Jacob (Alli) Bohlman, Courtney (Jeremy) Slade, Zachary (Katie) Bohlman, Mathew (Betty) Thompson and Shianne Lobajeski. Great-grandchildren include: Peter, Zoe, Elijah and Abraham James, Brekken Kleinschmidt, Bryce Gurno, Wyatt and Ariana Manthey, Taryn Perry, Skye Bohlman and Hayley and Willow Slade. Additional survivors include brothers-in-law: Harry Mielke and Don (Genny) Burroughs and sister-in-law: Edna Breister.

Visitation for Roger will be Tuesday, May 8, 2018, at the Uecker-Witt Funeral Home from 10:00 am until noon with a service following. Interment will be at the Ledgeview Memorial Park Cemetery in Fond du Lac.

We would like to thank the Fond du Lac Lutheran Home for the wonderful care given to our father the last four years and to Hospice for their special care.