Steve Thompson, age 69 of Baldwin, died peacefully November 24th at his residence following an illness of lung cancer. Steve was born on June 3, 1947 in River Falls, WI; the son of Per Ture and Charlotte (Boumeester) Thompson. He was raised in Hudson and River Falls prior to graduating from River Falls High School. As a young man, he was drafted in the Army to serve in the Vietnam War.

On December 30, 1980, he was united in marriage to Jane Elden. Their marriage was blessed at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in River Falls. Steve worked for the University of Wisconsin River Falls as a custodian for thirty-three years.

Steve was very involved in sports. When he was younger, he played football, basketball, swimming, baseball, and later fastpitch softball. In support of his children’s pursuits, he coached them in wrestling, basketball, baseball, and softball. He also enjoyed maintaining the Baldwin softball fields. He enjoyed working on number puzzles or having fun at the Baldwin pool.  He took great pride in watching his children and grandchildren in their many activities. Steve took pleasure in a spirited debate with friends and giving others a hard time with his dry sense of humor. He loved a cup of coffee with the ‘Circle of Knowledge’ group of men at the Hazelnut Tree and spending ‘time’ at the Baldwin Area Medical Center’s fitness center.

Steve will be remembered by his wife Jane; children Troy (Veronica) Thompson of Baldwin, Jeni (Donn) O’Malley of St. Paul, Chris Thompson of Hudson, Tommy Thompson (fiancée Lindsie Freeborn) of River Falls, Katie Thompson of Hudson, son-in-heart Ryan Edwards of Hudson; grandchildren C’aira, Kaitlyn, Izabella Thompson, Charlotte & Delilah O’Malley; siblings Sandra Chapman (Paul Houston) of Arizona and Gloria Thompson of Red Wing as well as the Elden extended family.  He is preceded in death by his parents.

Mass of Christian Burial for Steve will be 11AM Friday, December 2 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Hammond. Visitation will be on Thursday, December 1 from 4pm to 7pm at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home in Baldwin and one hour prior to the mass at church on Friday morning. Memorials preferred to the discretion of the family.