Janet Thompson

Janet Thompson died on March 20, 2026, two weeks after thoroughly enjoying her 90th birthday celebration on the beach.

She was a poet, a shrewd businesswoman, a devoted wife, and the fiercest mama bear ever, remaining proudly independent throughout her life.

Born in England, she grew up during World War II, often walking to Palmers Girls School accompanied by the soundtrack of bomb sirens—an experience that instilled in her a lifelong sense of right and wrong, untethered to party or politics. At age 21, she married and moved to the United States.

Janet later met and married the man of her dreams, Richard Thompson, and moved with him from Atlanta, Georgia to Long Prairie, Minnesota. Sharing a foundation of faith and a strong work ethic, Janet and Richard were beloved by family and friends alike. Together, they raised their blended family and built a home and farm in Long Prairie and a printing business in Glenwood, Minnesota.

Through 40 years of devoted marriage, they drank coffee together in the morning, drove 40 miles to Glacial Printing & Office Supply, worked all day and drove home together in the evening to take care of their children and do chores around the farm. In all that time, the nights they spent apart could be counted on the fingers of one hand. They wouldn’t have had it any other way.

After Richard’s death in 2014, Janet moved to Sauk Centre and then to Florida to be near family. There she knit comforters and the kitchen washcloths that were a family favorite. She was always the life of the party. Her sense of humor and the sound of her laughter will not be forgotten and will echo through every family get together.

She believed, above all, that family was everything - and she built a family that will carry her laughter, her strength, and her spirit forward through generations.

Janet was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Thompson, her grandson Shay, and her son in law Al. She is survived by her children Corinne McAfee, Lesley Ferrer (Jack), Nicola Dixon (Joe), Geoffrey Thompson (Angie), Richard Hoddinott (Pam), Amanda Reed (Rob), Teri (Mike) Streicher, and Brian Thompson; along with 19 grandchildren; and 13 great grandchildren.

Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, May 31, 2026, 1:00 PM at Calvary Church in Little Sauk. Private family burial at Calvary Cemetery.

Memorials are preferred to -- https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/