Paul James Thompson

Mankato Mortuary
1001 N. Riverfront Dr.
Mankato, MN 56001
(507) 388-2202

“He planted more then he cut.” Paul James Thompson, age 84, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours on Monday November 23, 2015. Due to heart complications, he had been in hospice care for fourteen days at Pathstone Living in Mankato, Minnesota.  

Paul was born to Guy and Esther Thompson at home in rural Waseca County January 6, 1931. His only sibling, Roger, died in 1939 of an unknown illness. He was raised on a farm outside of New Richland, Minnesota where he attended a one room school and graduated from New Richland High School in 1949. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa in 1953. He was drafted into the US Army and served in the Counter Intelligence Corps from 1954 to 1956. He went on to earn graduate degrees from the University of Minnesota and the University of Iowa.  

While attending graduate school in Minneapolis, he became reacquainted with the younger sister of one of his best Luther buddies. Kristi Hendrickson was the love of Paul’s life. They began their long and loving life together on July 23, 1960 when they married in Kristi’s hometown of Gwinn, Michigan. They began their married life in Burlington, Iowa where Paul taught in the Burlington Community College. After further graduate work, they moved to Mankato, Minnesota where Paul was a professor of economics at Minnesota State University at Mankato for thirty-two years.  

Kristi and Paul were blessed with two children, Peter and Laura. Paul was a devoted and loving father and husband. He had a passion for family, teaching, farming, and friends. In his retirement years, Paul and Kristi became “snowbirds” and divided their time between Mankato and Green Valley, Arizona. In Arizona, they were able to spend more time with their daughter and they intergraded themselves into the community and church establishing a new branch of the friend family.  

Professionally, he established the Center for Economic Education at Mankato State. He devoted years of his life to teaching high school students, college students, and adults the fundamentals of economics. He thought Mondays were great because he so enjoyed the classroom and students with whom he worked.  

Paul was fascinated and loved the wonders of nature. This love began with his rural upbringing. For a number of years, he toiled on the family farm on weekends and during the summers. He continued to plant trees and flowers and maintained the farm until the last months of his life. 

Paul was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church for fifty-two years. He participated in multiple volunteer activities. He served meals to the homeless, fundraised for Habitat for Humanity and other non-profit organizations.  

Paul is survived by his loving spouse, Kristi, his son, Peter, and his daughter, Laura. His extended family includes innumerable friends who added to the richness of his life.  

He was preceded in death by his father, Guy, his mother, Esther, and brother, Roger.    

Burial service to be held at Le Seuer River Lutheran Church on Wednesday, November 25, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. Fellowship to follow at The Willows in New Richland, MN  

Memorial Service to be held at Grace Lutheran Church Saturday, November 28, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. Visitation to begin one hour prior to the service in the church foyer. A luncheon to follow the service. Mankato Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.   Memorials can be given to Grace Lutheran Church or the local Backpack Program.