Dula Thompson

Dula C. Thompson, 92, of Lewis, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, September 14, 2016, at Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic.

Dula Clay Thompson was born on December 10, 1923, at the family's home in southern Missouri, near the Swan River and town of Chadwick. The family moved to northern Missouri when Dula was two. At the age of 12 he began working to help provide for his family. On a work trip to Lewis, Iowa, in 1941, he met his future wife, Betty Rose Bode.

In 1942, during World War II, he enlisted in the United States Army and received basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Dula was sent to Europe where he received Darby Ranger training, and was part of the invasion of Sicily and Italy. After losing almost all the men in his platoon due to combat he was relocated to France, Germany and Belgium. He served overseas for 29 months, and returned home in 1945.

After a long wait on October 11, 1945, he was united in marriage to Betty in Troy, Kansas. The couple was blessed with four children, Marvin, William, Lanette, and Ken.

The couple lived in Oakland where they began raising a family and Dula farmed to provide for them. He farmed for 20 years before going to work for the Iowa Department of Transportation Highway Commission. Dula retired in 1988, and kept himself busy working for Fred Henry at the Henry Well Company and the Henry Family Century Farm. In 1991, they made Lewis their home.

Dula was an avid sports fan, and rarely missed a chance to watch his children and grandchildren in their various sports. The family looked forward to annual vacations to Minnesota, where they fished, swam and water skied. In later years, Betty and Dula enjoyed polka dancing and getting together with friends to play cards.

Dula is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Betty of Lewis; their children, Marvin (Melinda) Thompson of Oakland, Iowa, Lanette (Rick) Crone of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Ken (Kathy) Thompson of Grand Island, Nebraska; 12 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; sisters, Evalene Eskridge of Maryville, Missouri and Norma McIntyre of Indianola, Iowa; sister-in-law, Carolyn Thompson of Reseda, California and Virginia Thompson of Lumpkin, Georgia; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, William "Bill" Thompson; three brothers, Marvin, Theodore and Joe Ben; sister, Neva Dean Davisson; and parents-in-law, Bill and Elsie Bode.

Open visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Sunday, September 18th and from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Monday, September 19th at the funeral home. Visitation with the family will be held one hour prior to the service on Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, September 20, 2016, at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic with Pastor Charles Pleak of the First Congregational Church in Oakland officiating.

Burial with military honors by the Atlantic Color Guard will be in the Oakwood Cemetery in Lewis.

Memorials may be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, in his son's Bill's memory.

Roland Funeral Home is caring for Dula's family and his arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.

IN REMEMBRANCE OF

Dula C. Thompson

BORN
December 10, 1923 - Chadwick, Missouri

ENTERED INTO REST
September 14, 2016 - Atlantic, Iowa
At the Age of
92 years, 9 months, 4 days

FUNERAL SERVICE
10:30 am, Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Roland Funeral Home - Atlantic, Iowa

OFFICIANT
Pastor Charles Pleak
1st congregational Church - Oakland, Iowa

PIANIST
Heidi Hinman

MUSICAL SELECTIONS
“Beyond the Sunset”
“How Great Thou Art”
By Randall Breckerbaumer

CASKET BEARERS
Troy Thompson
Shane Thompson
Seth Thompson
Zack Thompson
Kenny Thompson
Chris Pultz
Michael Thompson
Will Thompson

HONORARY BEARER
Eric Pultz

IN CHARGE OF FLOWERS
Kristin Clark
Angie Jimmerson
Kristi Sittner

INTERMENT
Oakwood Cemetery - Lewis, Iowa

MILITARY HONORS
Atlantic Color Guard

Please join the family for lunch at the Lewis United Congregational Methodist Church, following the committal service.