Germaine M. Thompson, of Nekoosa, departed her earthly life peacefully on Wednesday January 23, 2019 at Aspirus Riverview Hospital in Wisconsin Rapids surrounded by her children.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM Monday January 28, 2019 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Nekoosa. Rev. Dennis Schwalenberg will officiate. A memorial visitation will be held Monday at the church from 9:30 AM until the time of service at 11:00 AM. Burial will be at a later date at Riverside Cemetery in Nekoosa. The family will hold a celebration of life this spring. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to the John and Germaine Thompson Good Citizen Award Scholarship Fund through the Incourage Foundation of Wisconsin Rapids. Feldner/Ritchay Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Germaine was born October 6, 1927 in Ivanhoe, MN to Edward and Francis (Bulowski) Kusnierek. She met the love of her life, John E. Thompson M.D., while in nurses training at St. Mary’s in Minneapolis, Minn. They were married on August 23, 1947 in Blanchardville, WI. He died April 15, 2007.
Germaine was very active in her community. She was a volunteer at Riverview Hospital and former President of the Riverview Hospital Auxiliary, former president of the Nekoosa School Board and poll worker for the city of Nekoosa, proud supporter of the Charles and JoAnn Lester Library in Nekoosa and the Nekoosa Senior Community Center, active member of the POW and Veterans Organizations and a longtime member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church. She was a true prayer warrior for her family and community.
Her interests included gardening, cooking, golfing, bowling and curling. She was very proud of her first place state award for her work with stained glass. Most of all Germaine took great joy in raising her family and loved her role as wife, mother and grandma.
She is survived by five children Vicki (James) Herzberg, John Michael (Jean) Thompson MD, Rebecca (John) Gabor, Nancy Kautzer and Julie Thompson-Dobkin DO (Jeffrey Dobkin MD); 12 grandchildren Steven (Marilyn) Herzberg, Nicole (Derek) Crowley, Eric, Sarah, Hailey Thompson, Quentin (Dana) Gabor MD, Abraham (Andy) Gabor, Sasha (Cary) Anderson, Gabrielle (Tom) Koren, Courtney (Andrew) Berg, Adin and Finn Dobkin; 13 great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren and one brother Gerald (Phyllis) Kusnierek.
Germaine was preceded in death by her husband John Thompson MD; her parents; sister Joyce Moya; son in law Bill Kautzer and two grandchildren Todd Herzberg and Isabella Dobkin.
“When a mother dies, we lose a piece of who we are. We lose the person whose story provides the beginning of our own.”
Although we deeply miss our mother, we receive comfort in knowing a part of her lives on in each of us and became the foundation to build our lives upon.
We love you mom, and thank you for sharing your life with us.
Vicki, Michael, Rebecca, Nancy and Julie