Anez Thompson

Anez Thompson, 102, of Aneta, ND, died Monday, November 9, 2026, at Aneta Parkview Health Center, surrounded by family. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, November 14, 2026, at Sundahl Lutheran Church in Aneta, ND. Visitation will begin one hour before the service, with lunch to follow.

 Anez Marie (Locken) Thompson was born on Columbus Day, October 12, 1924, at Community Hospital in McVille, Nelson County, ND, to Peter E. and Johanna (Fjogstad) Locken of Aneta. Her ties to Sundahl Lutheran Church began with baptism and confirmation. She graduated from Aneta Public School in 1942. Anez briefly attended Lutheran Bible Institute, Golden Valley, MN, until unexpectedly called home to care for her mother. Around that time, the National Youth Administration recruited women for wartime industrial work. Anez trained as a certified acetylene welder at North Dakota Agricultural College in Fargo, then put those skills to work at Kay Products in Detroit, MI, making air scoops for aircraft engines.

 Anez and Richard (Dick) C. Thompson began their married life on July 8, 1945, with a wedding at her family home. They settled north of Sharon, ND, where they farmed for 44 years. A devoted farm wife, Anez shared in fieldwork, raising turkeys, and providing home cooked meals during harvest. A devoted mother, Anez loved and nurtured three children, taking an active role in school with Sharon Band mothers; active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Sharon, ND, teaching Sunday school and participating in ladies’ aide. Anez and Richard enjoyed Ma and Pa Bowling League and Westfield Homemakers Club. 

Caring for others was also part of Anez’s life. In 1972, she joined Aneta’s Good Samaritan Society nursing home as a nurse’s aide and later became activities director. She changed jobs to be employed at Northwood nursing home in 1978, serving in nursing, activities, and social services while earning a licensed social worker certificate. After retiring from Northwood in 1994, Anez stayed busy in Aneta as a laundry assistant at L & L Laundromat and a feeding assistant at Aneta Parkview Health Center until age 85.

 When Anez and Richard moved to Aneta in 1992, she continued sharing her faith and love of community. She volunteered with Aneta Park Board, Senior Citizens, Silent Hill Cemetery Auxiliary, and Altru Hospice at Nelson County Health Center. At Sundahl Lutheran Church, she joined in WELCA serving groups and bible studies. She was a member of Community Church prayer group. Together, she and Dick took part in North Dakota’s first group of Lutheran Lay Renewal weekend retreats.

 After Richard’s death in 2011, Anez continued her joyful and purposeful lifestyle. She loved visits from family and neighbors. In earlier years, she enjoyed shopping, scrapbooking, burning, raking, mowing, gardening, and tending her flowers. An avid baker, her signature items were white sugar cookies, buns, caramel rolls, mocha bars, and Norwegian holiday treats such as lefse. In later years, she was satisfied hanging laundry outdoors; playing Skip Bo with friends; taking car rides; and watching the combine harvest. 

Anez is survived by her son, Rick (Joan) Thompson of Sharon, ND; daughters, Joan (Don) Huso of Aneta, ND, and Ruth Gallagher (John Kiefat) of Battle Lake, MN; seven grandchildren, Chris (Ashley) Thompson, Steven Thompson, Greg (Morgan) Thompson, Mark Huso, Scott (Elizabeth) Huso, John Gallagher, and James (Courtney) Gallagher; ten great-grandchildren, Thea, Ole, and Millie Thompson, Remi Thompson, Nevaeh, Taven, and Griffin Huso, Herlof Huso, and Lee and Luke Gallagher; and several nieces and nephews.

 She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Richard; sisters, Margaret (Marge) Olstad, Selma Gibbons, Pearl Ahee, and Judith Fladeland; brother, Peter E. Locken, Jr.; stepbrother, Arne Locken; and aunt, Anna Walquist. The family thanks HIA Hospice staff for helping Anez remain at home with family support until March 2026, when she moved to Aneta Parkview Health Center in Aneta, ND. A heartfelt thank you to Aneta Parkview Health Center staff for making her final months safe, enjoyable, and comfortable.

 In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Silent Hill Cemetery, Sundahl Lutheran Church, Aneta Parkview Health Center, and HIA Hospice.