Brian Wayne Thompson
January 27, 1965 ~ September 28, 2013
Brian W. Thompson, 48, Spring Creek, NV, formerly Brandon, died Saturday, September 28, 2013, at the Sanford Hospice Cottage in Luverne, following a short battle with cancer.
Funeral services will be held at 10AM, Wednesday, October 2, 2013, at Heritage Lutheran Church, Brandon with Pastor Sandy Soye officiating. Visitation will precede the service with family present. Interment will follow at Midway Lutheran Cemetery, rural Flandreau.
Brian was born January 27, 1965, in Brookings, SD, to Wayne and Lois (St. John) Thompson. He was baptized at the First Lutheran Church in Volga, SD, in 1965. Brian was raised and graduated from Vermillion High School in 1983. He attended Dakota State University. He also served in the Army National Guard for 6 years in Brookings, SD, and was given an Honorable Discharge. Brian met Mary Kay Swanz of Kransburg, SD at DSU and they were married on August 8, 1987. The couple lived in Brandon where they started raising their family of five.
Brian worked for LodgeNet in Sioux Falls prior to becoming employed with HSBC. He later became the Vice President of Security and Fraud of all of HSBC Banks and Credit Operations center west of the Mississippi River. In 2010, he became employed by Barrick Gold Company as the Superintendent of its Safety and Security division at Goldstrike Mine, the largest gold mine in North America, at Elko, Nevada.
Brain had a huge love for his family. Spending time with his kids hiking or exploring was one of his favorite pastimes. He was very musical, loved to write deeply moving notes to his family, paid special attention to details, and bravely led his family through snowstorms as well as life to provided comfort in any difficult situation. Brian was a member of the El Raid Shrine in Sioux Falls and was “Dippity Doo” the happy clown, in the Shriner’s Clown Unit. He also belonged to the American Legion in Sioux Falls and the Masons. Brian was a member of Brandon Lutheran Church until they moved to Nevada.
Brian will be deeply missed by his wife, Mary Kay; five children, Matthew, Madison, SD, Samantha, Brittany, Amber, and Erika Thompson all of Spring Creek, NV; his parents, Wayne and Lois Thompson, Colman, SD; two sisters, Katherine (David) Tarrell, Sioux Falls, and Sheri (Doug) Scheerhorn, Hills, MN; mother-in-law, Mary Ellen Swanz, Clear Lake, SD; and many loving nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.
Brian was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Donald Swanz.
Brian will be missed he was a good guy
Brian always had a smile on his face and great outlook on life. We lived next door to the Thompsons in Vermillion, SD. My prayers and sympathy go out to all of you. Brian was a great guy… He will be missed a lot.
I just heard of Brian’s passing. To his family – Brian was a wonderful man and spoke so highly of all of you. I worked with Brian for many years at HSBC here in Sioux Falls. I considered him not just a collegue but a friend. May god be with you during this difficult time. Peace be with you.
When I was the Manager of the Safety, Health & Security Division at the Barrick Goldstrike Mine, Brian was my valued and trusted subordinates while he worked with me. His character, integrity, professional and family values were of the highest order and consistently demonstrated. It was my pleasure to have met him and worked with him. I trust the strength Brain showed and surely imparted will continue to shelter his family in this time of grief and heartache.
Our Deepest Sympathy to You and Your family
I worked with Brian at LodgeNet. He was such a great guy and way too young! I’m so very sorry for his family and friends. Thoughts and prayers are with you all.
I enjoyed working with Brian, He will be missed –
I don’t know how hard it is to lose a loved one, but I know it’s hard to even comprehend such painful aspect. Brian was a super cool boss and my true mentor when I worked security for HSBC, it’s a great loss for me personally knowing he’s no longer with us. Brian made me see a lot of truth to life by simply giving me advise & correction. My heart goes out to you and your family, may the Lord comfort you in this sorrow and give you peace.
I am so very very sorry to hear of this loss. I wish I could make it to the funeral, to grieve and celebrate Brian’s life with you, but please know that you are in my heart and thoughts! I have so many memories of Brian, and the whole Thompson family, as a youngster growing up on Linden Ave. in Vermillion. Brian loved it when my mom would paint all of our kids faces in the summers; he always wanted to be a hobo or a clown! He was full of spirit and individuality, even as a young boy. I will truly cherish the memories of my times with Brian, Kathy, SheriBeth and the entire Thompson family. Sincerest condolences to Brian’s family. My thoughts are with you all ~
Dear Wayne, Lois & Family,
We were saddened to read about your son. Our love and prayers are with you all.
Bill & Barb Specht
Dear Mary Kay: You are in my prayers during this time of pain and suffering you and your children are going through. May God’s grace steady you. keith
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. The whole family is in our thoughts and prayers May the Lord comfort you and give you strength through this difficult time.
What a legacy Brian has built for your family to be proud of. May knowing the support of friends and family comfort you and may God grace you with peace.
Mary Kay, Brittany just told me she saw you and Brittany at the grocery store and was shocked to hear of your loss. I am so sorry for the pain your entire family is going through. The Lord will give you the strength you need to pull through this difficult time. This is the time we really need to lean on him.
Take good care, all of you.
Mary Kay and family, I am so very sorry for your loss! It brings a sad heart I wasn’t able to reconnect with Brian after your wedding as I tried many times over the years. I apologize if it was something I did wrong as I do not know what? I do look back on our friendship during high school and it gives me so many happy memories that I reflect upon often and those memories will never be forgotten.
Brian was a great friend and its nice to see he raised such a large and loving family and had a wonderful life. He will be deeply missed but take comfort he is beside our Lord and among old friends and loved ones.
God bless.
I just learned of Brian’s passing. My condolences to his family. He was the quintessential “Good guy.” He will be missed.