Stanley E. Thompson

Stanley E. Thompson, age 85, of Yankton, South Dakota, died Friday, March 28, 2025, at Avera Sister James Care Center in Yankton.

Funeral services will be 10:30 AM on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Yankton, South Dakota, with Reverend Jacob Bobby officiating. Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery in Niobrara, Nebraska. Visitation is from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Monday, March 31, 2025, at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton, South Dakota, with a prayer service at 7:00 PM.

Stanley Ellis Thompson was born September 4, 1939, in Niobrara, Nebraska, to Herbert and Phynus (Stockholm) Thompson. He was baptized in the Niobrara Lutheran Church and attended school in rural Niobrara. His father’s work took them to Berwyn, Nebraska, then back to Niobrara and then to Center, Nebraska where he graduated high school in 1957. He then went to Wayne State Teacher’s College for his two-year teacher’s degree. He taught in Brunswick, Nebraska for five years and then went back to college for his four-year degree. While at summer school he met the love of his life, Judith “Judy” Schrader and they were married June 14, 1964. They moved to Rapid City, South Dakota, where Stan taught at Ellsworth Air Base. While in Rapid City they started their family with their son, Todd Stanley and daughter Sheila Kay. They moved to Yankton where Stan continued his teaching career and rounded out their family with their son, Shawn Michael. Stan then went to work in the insurance field, first with AAL and then with New York Life. He then became a realtor and worked for Century 21 in Yankton for many years.

Stan was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Yankton and enjoyed woodworking in his basement, dancing with Judy and traveling to England and Paris. He loved visiting with anyone, had a great sense of humor, and loved being a grandpa.

Survivors include his wife, Judy Thompson of Yankton; three children: Todd (Traci) Thompson of Pierre, South Dakota; Sheila (Tom) Juhnke of Kaneohe, Hawaii; and Shawn (Julie) Thompson of Wayne, Nebraska; five grandchildren: Joshua (Samantha) Blood, Jordan Thompson, Chris (Emma Neuner) Juhnke, Kennady Thompson, and Shawn Patrick Thompson; step-grandchildren: Jacob Anderson, Devin Anderson, and Samantha Gubbels; step-great grandson, Abram Doll; sister, Connie Enneper; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Janet and Larry Silhacek and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Benjamin; sister, Carol Thynne, and in-laws, Lloyd and Mary Shrader.