Eugene "Gene" Tompkins

Published May 27, 2018 at 6:37 PM

Eugene "Gene" Raye Tompkins was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on May 25, 2018 following a long illness at Ecumen Nursing Home in Detroit Lakes, MN under hospice care.

Gene was born on April 2, 1930 to Raye and Tenora (Knutson) Tompkins of Eldridge, ND. He was baptized on May 11, 1930 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Jamestown, ND. He was confirmed in the Lutheran faith in the Pingree Lutheran Church.

He began his education in rural schools of Lippert Township. In 1940 he moved with his family to Pingree, ND where he finished his education, graduating from high school in 1948.

Gene was united in marriage to Tressa Brown in the Pingree Lutheran Church on October 7, 1949. They farmed in the Pingree area.

He served on the Pingree Lutheran Church council, and the Woodworth Parish council. He also served on the Pingree school board.

In 1967 they moved to Jamestown, ND where he was first the plant manager and later the production coordinator for Dakota Bake-N-Serv. He retired in 1983. He and Tressa then spend their winters in Mesa, AZ.

Gene was a member of the Atonement Lutheran Church in Jamestown, ND and a seasonal member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mesa, AZ and Grace Lutheran Church in Erhard, MN.

He enjoyed his family, farming, woodworking, raising miniature horses for 10 years that he showed at fairs and in parades, collecting Gene Autry memorabilia, and spending the winters in AZ with his wife, Tressa.

Gene is survived by his wife, Tressa, Erhard, MN/Mesa, AZ; 2 daughters, Gaylene Bader and Nancy Waalen, both of Erhard, MN; and 1 son, Rory (Laura) Tompkins of Milwaukie, OR; 3 grandchildren, Shyla Strandlien (Jerad Craik) Fargo, ND, Eric Bader, Moorhead, MN; and Amanda (Cory) Moreno, Bismarck, ND; 3 great grandchildren, Braydon Bader, Cailyn Gene Craik, Brenden Craik, 1 step great grandson, Landon Ottesen of Fargo; 2 brothers, Edwin (Kathy) Tompkins, Jacksonville, FL, Loyal (Rhonda) Tompkins, Jamestown; 1 sister-in-law, Donna Tompkins, Jamestown; 1 brother-in-law, Howard Brown, Jamestown; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife's parents, Frank and Leona Brown of Pingree; 1 brother, Gilford of Pingree; and 1 son-in-law, Lloyd Waalen of Erhard.

Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 PM of Wednesday, May 30, 2018 at Eddy Funeral Home in Jamestown, ND with Pastor Steve Berntson officiating. The burial will take place at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Following the burial, lunch will be served at Atonement Lutheran Church in the Fellowship Hall.

Arrangements are in the care of Eddy Funeral Home.