Gary Allan Thompson

Gary Allan Thompson, 85, rural Lake Mills, passed away peacefully with his daughters by his side Monday, March 17, 2025. A funeral service for Gary will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, March 24, at Winnebago Lutheran Church, rural Lake Mills, with Pastor Bill Peters officiating. Visitation will be held from 3-5 p.m., Sunday, March 23, at Schott Funeral Homes-Mittelstadt Chapel, Lake Mills. Burial will take place in the church cemetery following services with Military Honors performed by the Otto-Chose American Legion Post#235. If you are unable to attend, the service will be livestreamed on the church’s YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@oneinchristlutheranparish1767. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Winnebago Lutheran Church, rural Lake Mills, in memory of Gary. Schott Funeral Homes-Mittelstadt Chapel, Lake Mills, was in charge of arrangements.
Gary Allan Thompson was born Sept. 28, 1939 in Mason City, to Lester O. and Opal I. (Nappe) Thompson. He attended school in Lake Mills, graduating in 1957.
After graduation he enlisted in the United States Navy and served on the Naval Ship, USS Mansfield DD 728. He served his country from 1957-1960 when he was honorably discharged.
Gary was married to Clarine Olson and to this union, two daughters were born, Dawn and Kelly.
After his military service he returned to Lake Mills to the family farm. He also started working as a press operator at the Graphic Publishing, which later became Stoyles Printing and moved to Mason City. Gary was dependable, timely, and enjoyed working for many years with his friends at Stoyles.
Gary enjoyed farming and the many wild turkeys that would spend the winters in his yard eating the corn he put out for them. Gary was an avid collector of a wide variety of items, but he enjoyed spending time with his family the most. He liked spending Thanksgivings in Des Moines, sporting events for his grandkids, trips to Florida, tractor rides, and any other opportunity that came along.
Every year Gary enjoyed his annual Navy ship reunion with all his shipmates and visiting all of the different cities where the reunions were held. He even planned and hosted three reunions with his daughter through the years and took pride in planning these events. It was at one of these reunions that he met his current wife, Pattii.
Gary is survived by his wife, Pattii Arnett-Thompson; daughters: Dawn Serdiuk, Tampa, Fla.; and Kelly (Mike) Kuhlemeier, Rockwell; stepdaughters: Kyla (Glen) Dippold and Tami Anderson (Tim Jennings), both of Clive; grandchildren: David Serdiuk, Peter Serdiuk, Jacob Kuhlemeier, Payton Kuhlemeier, Carlie (Zeth) Tovrea; three great-grandchildren: Vayda, Sage and Knox; brothers: Mark and wife Vicki Thompson; and LeRoy and Elda Thompson; as well as many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Barbara A. Bondari.