Nellie Thompson

nellie thompson
Nellie J Thompson was born May 24, 1917 at Fort Ransom, ND to John F and Mary (Jennie Brekke) Thompson.  She attended school in Arthur, ND where she loved playing basketball.  She worked at a boarding house while attending Interstate Business College.  After graduation she worked for Fargo Trades and Labor.  In 1963 she went to work for Teamsters Local 116.  While there she served as Recording Secretary;  Secretary-Treasurer and upon her retirement she was the Vice President.  She was also the Teamsters State Council Secretary. She belonged to the Eagles (68 years), VFW Auxiliary, Teamsters Union, American Legion Auxiliary, Swedish Club and was active in the local Democratic Party. Nellie passed away on April 13, 2015.  She is preceded in death by her parents, infant brother Thomas, brothers Fred Thompson, Ted Thompson and Melvin Dahl. She is survived by six nieces:  Linda Van Tongeren, Conrad MT, Carole McClendon, Live Oak CA, Maryann Boit, Scottsdale AZ, Sharon Morris, Sedan NM, Judy Steffes, Detroit Lakes MN and Phyllis Lincoln, Arthur ND. A graveside service will be held at Herby Lutheran on Monday, April 20 at 10:00 AM.

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  1. Nellie Thompson was a true champion for working people. She believed in her cause and lived it daily. She collected union dues by going from job site to job site in the old days and was loved and admired by every union member that knew her. She worked tirelessly to secure pensions for members and took personnel satisfaction in every victory. Nellie was a down-to-earth Democrat through and through, and was a great friend to many North Dakota politicians, including Senator Quentin Burdick, Governor Bill Guy, U.S Attorney John Schneider and many more.
    Nellies sense of humor was unparalleled. She particularly loved “corn” as she called it. She would call me when she had a great corny story to tell me and we loved it.
    We have lost one of the greatest friends of labor and champions of justice that I have ever known. North Dakota workers are better because of Nellie and I am thankful that I got to know and work with her. Rest in peace Sweedish Princess.

  2. Heaven got a good one this time. I worked with Nellie at Teamsters Local 116 in Fargo. She was the best mentor one could ask for. Although she trained me well for her position, she certainly was a hard act to follow. She taught me so much about the Labor movement through her first hand experiences. Throughout the years, we became life-long friends. Many a Wednesday night, Nellie, my parents, and I, would tip a few at the Teamsters Bar and then proceed to the Eagles for the weekly special. Oh, the fun we had! Until her, I never knew that “snuff” was actually inhaled through the nose! I have many, many fond memories of this lady and our time together. Her sense of humor was second to none. Rest in Peace Nell, and I will see you again!

  3. It does my heart good to see the wonderful comments about my Aunt Nellie. From a family point of view, Aunt Nellie was unselfish, generous, kind and loving. I remember many times that she would come out to our farm after a day of work, only to be assaulted by nieces (particularly me) that knew if we asked, she would take us back into Casselton to buy a comic book at the drug store. She was Santa Claus while we were at Christmas Eve programs, a friend we could stay with in Fargo, someone I could talk to about “stuff”. She loved her brothers, seeking their advice and they were just plain good friends. Their laughter when they got together made everyone around them smile. It was fun to see her with my Dad, Fred. She could be tough too, letting me know that coming to help her at work was not a game or just a chance to be in Fargo. A very special lady that enriched my life for sure. God made a good one and brought her home.

  4. She was a great Aunt, The things that I heard when She and her Brothers (My Dad Whitey) got together, Oh what fun. At 96 she was still waiting for Happy Hour, She was loved and I will miss her.

  5. Nellie and I share Swedish roots. We traveled to Sweden together as I was returning to Ljungbyhed in Skane, south Sweden where I had spent a year after high school and where her relatives also lived. We had so much fun. We also visited the farm of the brother of another Fargo Swedish Society member Anna Lundstrom. Nellie was a family friend from the days when John had his law office at the Teamsters. I remember her at some family Christmas celebrations at our house. She loved the lake and the RV. You will always be special in my mind…good memories.

  6. Dear Nellie, you were always my favorite customer at the bank. I will never forget you and all the great times we had when you can in and all the laughs. Rest in peace my dear. Collette Vetsch

  7. Good bye to a dear Aunt. I will miss you and your humor..So many times I stopped by your house in Fargo to see grandma and Tippy. When you and my dad were together it was so much fun to listen to some cute old stories, some of which I just can’t mention here. But there was always laughter. The two of you taught me a few cuss words in Norwegian, which got me in trouble with my teacher as he could speak Norwegian. Fargo will not be the same with out you there. Until we laugh together again dear Aunt good bye. Linda

  8. I knew Nellie through the Democratic Party and especially through our organization called Democratic Women Plus. She was always active and was a good volunteer for many events. Long after she left Fargo she continued to send membership donations to our organization. It was hard to believe that she and Fran died so close together.

  9. Nellie,
    Thank you for being a great God Mother. I’ll never forget the time you played Pretty Pretty Princess with me, it was one of the greatest moments of my life. I also remember being so excited to get to ride with you in your fancy Lincoln, I felt like a princess. Another great memory would be enjoying cookies with you and Toby.
    I know that you are are peace now, enjoying time with Toby.
    You will forever be in my thoughts.

    P.S.- Hilary is running for President. 🙂


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