Roma R. Thompson

Roma Rae Thompson, age 94 of Alexandria, Minnesota, formerly of Starbuck, MN, passed away October 3, 2024, peacefully at her home.

Visitation for Roma Thompson will be held Thursday, October 24, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Starbuck Funeral Home in Starbuck, MN.

Visitation will continue from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Shalom Lutheran Church in Alexandria, MN.

Funeral services for Roma R. Thompson will be at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, October 25, 2024, at Shalom Lutheran Church in Alexandria, MN.

Graveside services and burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at Acacia Park Cemetery in Mendota Heights, MN.

Roma Rae (Seaver) Thompson was the oldest of four children, born March 21, 1930, to Jerrold and Emma (McMullen) Seaver in Harvard, IL. She was baptized September 21, 1930, and confirmed in the Lutheran faith on June 25, 1944, at Capron Lutheran Church, Capron, IL. She attended Stimes Country Grade School and McHenry High School, graduating May 26, 1948. She attended the School of Nursing, Chicago, IL, and Augsburg College, Minneapolis, MN, and received a B.S. in Nursing Education from University of Minnesota in 1955, as well as a Registered Nurse (RN) degree while doing clinicals at Lutheran Deaconess Hospital, Chicago, IL.

On September 8, 1956, she married Rev. Tenner Thompson, II, at Capron Lutheran Church. They met while she was completing RN clinicals at Lutheran Deaconess Hospital, where she worked as a surgical and floor nurse. Roma also worked at Fairview Hospital (Minneapolis), Bethesda Hospital (St. Paul), Mercy Hospital (Williston), Head Start Program, (Williston), and Hill Top Nursing Home (Killdeer). Throughout her life as a pastor’s wife, Roma was dedicated to God’s work in the parishes they served. She was involved in the church choir and singing many solos using her beautiful voice. Roma also developed prayer groups, vacation bible school programs and was a delegate to the ELCA Women’s National Convention.

After serving parishes in Wisconsin from 1955-1972 at Grantsburg, Milwaukee, and Ellsworth, the family moved west to Williston, ND, from 1972-1987, where they raised four children and served Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church. They served Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church (Holiday, ND) from 1987-1990. Roma and Tenner moved to Starbuck, MN, in 1990 to serve St. John’s Lutheran Church. In Starbuck, she continued supporting the church as Women’s ELCA national convention delegate and Southwest MN Synod delegate. She also continued her leadership role in developing prayer groups, vacation bible school, bible studies, prayer chains, quilting, and Minnewaska Lutheran Home Auxiliary. In 2005, she was awarded Volunteer of the Year by Minnesota Health and Housing Alliance, for her extensive leadership and service to the Minnewaska Lutheran Home Auxiliary, in Starbuck, MN.

In 2006, Roma and Tenner moved to Alexandria, MN, to begin their retirement. She became an active member at Shalom Lutheran Church where she continued her dedication to prayer groups, bible studies, quilting, and world hunger. Roma was recently awarded the Mary Magdalene Award by the NW MN Synodical Women’s Organization. Alexandria became the final chapter in her life, where she enjoyed many wonderful friends from Shalom Lutheran, Westbrook Estates, and the greater Alexandria community.

Roma radiated love and grace! She was a wonderful wife, mom, grandma, and great grandma. Her grandchildren spent a week with her every summer for St. John’s vacation bible school, which was a cherished time together. Roma always made time to sit and chat and had many friends from her different activities. She deeply cared for her friends and was genuinely interested in their lives. She made people feel so special and loved. Roma will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her brother: Bob Seaver, Huntley, IL; son: Tenner, III (Sheila) and grandchildren Emma, Luke, Gabriel, and Kate of Mendota Heights, MN; son Mark of Williston, ND, and grandchildren Taylor of Gillette, WY, and Andrea (Andrew) Hafford and great grandchildren Everly, Kyrie, and Finley of Gilbert, AZ; Erik (Anita) and grandchildren Ryan and Sean of Spokane, WA; Kirk (Mary) and grandchildren Emily, Anna, and Ruthie of Stuttgart, Germany; and many nieces and nephews.

Roma was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Tenner Thompson, II, parents Jerrold and Emma Seaver, brother Ron Seaver and sister Dorothy (Richard) Gildseth.

Arrangements are with Starbuck Funeral Home in Starbuck, MN.