Donald C. Thompson

Donald Clark Thompson was born in Radisson, Wisconsin, on May 23, 1941, and entered heaven on June 3, 2026, in Marshfield, Wisconsin.

Don is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Marcella Faye (Petit) Thompson, and his five children: Carla (Jerry) Gronning, Craig (Brenda) Thompson, Donna (Jerry) Bechard, Andrea (Paul) Valerius, and Bradley (Lyn) Thompson. He is also survived by 20 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-granddaughter. Don is also survived by his two sisters, Pauline (Bill) Godfrey and Mary (Frank) Parsons.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul Russell and Eloise Lucile (Reed) Thompson; six brothers, Bob, Phil, Ralph, Russ, Max, and Billy; and four sisters, Georgiana, Linda, Grace, and Lorie.

Don married his high school classmate and sweetheart, Marcella Faye Petit, on April 16, 1960. After high school, they moved to Kenosha, Wisconsin, where Don worked for the American Motor Factory. Don returned to Winter, Wisconsin, in 1962, and with the help of his brother Bob, purchased his first piece of equipment, establishing Thompson Excavating. He opened a gravel pit and installed sewer systems, serving the surrounding communities. Together with his two sons, Craig and Brad, they expanded Don Thompson and Son’s Excavating over a period of 64 years. Don spent the long winter months logging and trucking timber to the mills.

Don was also a builder. He built a cabin on Bear Lake in 1983, the Tuscobia Trail Inn in 1996, and the Winter Post Office in 1999. Loving the outdoors was a passion of Don’s. He enjoyed many fishing trips to Canada and elk hunting in Montana. He enjoyed Montana so much that in 2010, he and his brother Ralph purchased a home in White Sulphur Springs, Montana, where his friends, brothers, sons, grandsons, and nephews enjoyed many hunting trips. In addition to their many trips to Montana, Don and Faye enjoyed traveling across the country to visit family, from New Jersey to Texas to Oregon and many states in between.

Every picture of Don reveals a ready smile. He had a love for life and a sense of humor that he shared with everyone. He always had time for conversations with people, especially for his grandkids, passing on family history and life wisdom through many stories. Family was the joy of Don’s life. He loved all the family gatherings, especially the summer picnics and Christmas-time celebrations. With such a large family, the endless monthly birthday celebrations created priceless memories of times together with his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids.

Don also enjoyed playing smear and cribbage, planting trees, helping in the garden, and sitting on the front lawn watching the birds, deer, and sunsets. He also enjoyed eating popcorn or ice cream while watching Packer or Brewer games.

Don was a vibrant part of the Winter community his entire life. He was a member of the volunteer fire department and the village snowplower for years. He was also a member of the Winter Town Board in his younger years.

Faith in Jesus Christ was the anchor of Don’s life. He was an active member of Living Waters Assembly of God for 37 years, serving as an honorary Trustee Board member for many years. For 34 years, LWAG was a country church, hosting Blue Grass Gospel Festivals, which Don and Faye enjoyed together. Rev. Truman Stricklen, the founding pastor of LWAG, was a faithful pastor and true friend to Don over the span of these many years. Two and a half years ago, LWAG moved to Ladysmith, Wisconsin, where Don was an integral part.

Don will be greatly missed by his wife Faye, family, friends, and community, but his faith in Jesus Christ and family-centered life will build his legacy for generations to come.

Funeral services for Don are on Friday, June 12, 11:00 a.m., at Living Waters Assembly of God in Ladysmith, Wisconsin. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until service time on Friday at the church. Interment will be at the Winter Cemetery at approximately 2:30 p.m.

A complete obituary will also be published in the Ladysmith News and Sawyer County Gazette.