Lyla Marie Thompson

Lyla Marie Thompson, the daughter of Carl Fredrick and Leona Marie (Andreasen) Wiese, was born on November 13, 1930, in rural Irwin, Iowa. She was raised in Irwin, and graduated from Irwin High School in 1948. After attending college for a year, she married Allan Ray Thompson on June 25, 1950, at the United Methodist Church in Irwin. The couple farmed southeast of Irwin until 1972, when they left the farm and moved into Irwin. During the early 1950’s, Lyla taught country school near Irwin. She then worked at the Irwin Locker for 23 years and the Shelby County Monument Company in Harlan, Iowa, for more than ten years.

Lyla was an active member of the Irwin United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women. Lyla enjoyed taking photographs of her family, sewing, and camping at area lakes and parks. She was a very patriotic lady who sold American flags and promoted Avenues of Flags in area cemeteries. Lyla was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, the Jefferson Community Club, the Irwin Library Board and Club, the Polk Improvement Club, and the Shelby County Cancer Board. Recently, Lyla was honored as Farmer Mutual Cooperative Telephone Company’s “Home Town Hero – 2004.”

Lyla M. Thompson died on Friday, April 8, 2005, at Myrtue Memorial Hospital in Harlan, Iowa, at the age of 74 years, 4 months, and 26 days.

Preceding Lyla in death were her father; one brother, Allan Wiese; and one grandson, Joseph Goans. Survivors include her husband of 54 years, Allan Thompson of Irwin, Iowa; her mother, Leona Wiese of Manilla, Iowa; two daughters, Kathleen Goans of Kirkman, Iowa, and Lanette (Tom) Sawyer of Idaho Springs, Colorado; two sons, Craig (Dianna) Thompson and Danny Thompson, both of Irwin, Iowa; one sister, Ladelle (Orlando) Hanson of Manilla, Iowa; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held on Monday, April 11, 2005, at the Irwin United Methodist Church in Irwin, Iowa, with Rev. Keith Pals officiating. Ruth Ann Barry served as organist, and Milton Barry was the soloist. Casket bearers were Chad Ripley, Jason Goans, Roger Wiese, Lance Hanson, Tim Thompson, and Justin Ahrenholtz. Burial was in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Irwin, Iowa. The Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Harlan was in charge of the arrangements.