Norma Mae Thompson, age 93, passed away May 24, 2025. She was born August 8, 1931, in the town of Bear Lake to Orval and Ella (Wille) White.

She graduated from Rice Lake High School in 1949; after attending Barron County Normal School and UW River Falls, she taught for eight years in rural schools, including Silver Lake, Comstock, Besslerton, Stanfold, and Section Ten. Later, she was a substitute teacher in the Cumberland School District for over 20 years until 2002, when her husband was disabled by a stroke, and she became his full-time care provider.

Norma was united in marriage to Floyd Thompson on June 12, 1954, at East Cumberland Lutheran Church, and together they farmed until 1991. Floyd and Norma were active in 4H, and she was a dynamic leader for 25 years. She served on the 4H Leaders’ Council and introduced cake decorating to the Section Ten club, and it soon became a county project. Her cake decorating talent was acknowledged and appreciated by many people in the area through the countless orders placed for cakes for weddings, graduations, birthdays, and other special occasions.

As an active member of First Lutheran Church, she served as a member of the church council, taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, held several offices in the FLCW, served seven years as a Conference officer, was an active member of the Rebekah Circle, sang in the choir, and served as an usher, greeter, lay reader, and communion assistant. Norma made several of the banners and bulletin boards still currently used throughout the worship seasons. She was a co-founder of the graduate honor quilts program and made numerous quilts over the years.

Norma was also active in local government and served as a member of the election board, followed by 12 years as the Town of Cumberland Clerk.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Orval and Ella White; parents-in-law, Otto and Sophia Thompson; husband, Floyd; daughters, Jeri Thompson and Trudy Thompson Yoho; brothers Vern White, Bob White, and Carl White; siblings-in-law Wilma Thompson Calloway, Dan Calloway, Carol Thompson Cormany, Duane Thompson, Lois Thompson Anderson, Gerry Anderson, Ellen White, Beverlee White; and great niece Sarah Thompson.

She is survived by her children, Michael (Donna) Thompson, Jolene (Bill Stuessel), Kevin, and Janelle; son-in-law Tod Yoho; grandson Spencer Yoho; granddaughter Roxanne (David Benson), great-granddaughters Elaina Benson and Lylah Benson; sister Dorothy Eby, and siblings-in-law Ed (Marla) Thompson, Betty Thompson, Ardys White, and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be at First Lutheran Church in Cumberland between 4:00 – 8:00 on Thursday, May 29, and for one hour prior to the service. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 at First Lutheran on Friday, May 30, with Pastor Tim Schmidt officiating. Pallbearers are Tim Calloway, Jeff Anderson, Peter Thompson, Charlie Nelson, Joel Eby, and Eric White. Burial will be at East Cumberland Cemetery.

Last Update: May 26, 2025 1:26 pm CDT