Emil Thompson, age 98, of Huron, passed away Tuesday, November 9, 2021, at Avantara – Huron.

His funeral service was held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, November 13, 2021, at the Kuhler Funeral Home. Burial was in the Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery. Military rites were conducted by the Huron Veterans Council.  His service was live-streamed through the Kuhler Funeral Home website. 

A visitation with the family present will be from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 13th at the Kuhler Funeral Home.

Emil Thompson was born April 28, 1923, to Joseph R. and Margie Ellen (Snedeker) Thompson at Sioux Falls.

On September 10, 1944, Emil married Shirley Clites at Howard. A marriage that lasted 71 years.

Emil served in the United States Army from January 19, 1945 to August 24, 1946. After his honorable discharge, Emil returned home to his wife, and they made their home in Huron. He worked for the United States Postal Service for 32 years, retiring in 1983.

Emil and Shirley enjoyed trapshooting, square dancing, and wintering in Mission, Texas for twelve years. Emil was a State Trapshooting Champion on several occasions as well as a National Champion during his trapshooting career.

He was preceded in death by parents; his wife, Shirley, on December 3, 2015; one son-in-law, Bill Gerstenecker; one granddaughter, Kris Gerstenecker; one great-grandson, Phelix Gerstenecker; and two sisters, Leona and Margaret.

Grateful for having shared in his life are his two daughters, Ellen and Warren Storm of Huron and Shirleen Gerstenecker of Mitchell; seven grandchildren, Philip (Rebekah) Storm and family, Chris (Monica) Storm and family, Angela Storm, Lisa Norris and family, Cheri (Ralph) Lewis and family, Michelle Weisser and family and Robert Gerstenecker and family; twenty great-grandchildren; and seventeen great-great-grandchildren.

 View Emil's Floral Arrangements