Ernest Thomsen

Ernest Henry Thomsen, 88, passed away on May 3, 2020 at his home near Cumberland.

He was born August 24, 1931 to Nels and Henrietta “Hannah” (Rustman) Thomsen at his grandmother’s home in Cumberland. At age 4 Ernie started school at Custer Rural School in Edna Township. He graduated from Cumberland High School in 1948.

After farming for a short time, he moved to Lawton, Iowa, near his sister. There he worked as a farm hand and at the Swift’s packing plant in Sioux City. While there, he met Karen Peterson. Ernie and Karen were married on May 23, 1954 in Lawton, Iowa. After marrying, they moved to a farm near Cumberland and he began his farming career. In addition to row crops he spent years raising hogs and cattle.

Ernie was baptized, confirmed and remained a life long member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church south of Wiota, Iowa. There he served as President of the Congregation, a deacon, on the farm committee and the parsonage board. His faith in the Lord was a life-long comfort to him.

Ernie loved his community and served it well. He was on the Coop Board, Lions Club, and for 30 years he served on the Cumberland Community Boosters Board; instrumental in the development and management of the Cumberland Community Building. He served Cass County Pork Producers, as President and received a Pork Producer of the Year award.

Ernie loved his family deeply and spent many hours supporting the interests and activities of his children and grandchildren, especially with Fair projects. He greatly enjoyed his dogs, golfing and shooting and the friends he made through them. Ernie regularly joined friends in Cumberland over coffee. It is amazing how the world’s questions can be answered with a newspaper, county plat book, and world atlas – their tools before Google.

After retirement, Ernie continued to help with the farm, but enjoyed vacationing with Karen, especially trips to the mountains and visiting friends in Florida and Texas in the winter. For many years they spent a month or two every winter in Donna, Texas, enjoying Cass county snowbirds and making new friends.

Ernest is survived by his wife, Karen; daughters, Pam Drummond and Patrice Thomsen; son, Jeff (Rana) Thomsen; grandchildren, Sarah (James) Doxon, Matthew (Grace) Thomsen, Lane Thomsen, Jace Thomsen, Jake (Alyssa) Drummond, and Nick Drummond; great-grandchildren, Lucian and Rose Thomsen, Daxton and Lincoln Drummond and nieces, Susan Ackelson and Joyce Howard.

He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Rosemary (Lloyd) Lighthall; nephew, David Lighthall; and niece, Linda Robinson.

Ernest and his family wish to express their appreciation to St. Croix Hospice and friends for their care and support.

Visitation with the family present will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 24th at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, June 25th at the First Lutheran Church, south of Wiota. Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery.

Following the burial, a luncheon will be held at the Cumberland Community Building; with a time for sharing of memories. The family encourages you to come to the luncheon even if you are unable to attend the formal service.

Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation to the First Lutheran Church or the Cumberland community.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Ernest’s family and his arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.



IN HIS LOVING MEMORY

Ernest Thomsen

BORN
August 24, 1931 - Cumberland, Iowa

ENTERED INTO REST
May 3, 2020 - rural Cumberland, Iowa

At the age of
88 years, 8 months & 10 days

FUNERAL SERVICE
10:30 a.m., Thursday, June 25, 2020
First Lutheran Church - south of Wiota, Iowa

OFFICIATING
Pastor Mike Bodkins

MUSICIAN
Jan Steffen

SPECIAL MUSIC
“Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” recorded by Johnny Cash

CONGREGATIONAL MUSICAL SELECTIONS
“Precious Lord, Take My Hand”
“Amazing Grace”
“How Great Thou Art”

CASKET BEARERS
Matthew Thomsen
Lane Thomsen
Jace Thomsen
Jacob Drummond
Nickolas Drummond
Sarah Doxon

FLOWER COMMITTEE
Mark and Linda Madison
George and Diane Behrends

INTERMENT
Greenwood Cemetery - rural Cumberland, Iowa

Memorials may be made to the family for later designation to the
First Lutheran Church and the Cumberland Community.

Please join the family for lunch at the Cumberland Community Building
for lunch following the services at the cemetery. During the luncheon
there will be music and a time for sharing of memories.