MYRNA SKJERET THOMPSON

MYRNA (SKJERET) THOMPSON

August 20, 1940-March 12, 2023

Myrna Thompson, 82, of Bozeman, MT, passed away Sunday, March 12, 2023, surrounded by her loving family at Bozeman Deaconess Hospital.

Myrna Helene Yvonne Skjeret Thompson was born at home on the family farm, north of Dazey, ND, to Alfred and Helen (Jonasen) Skjeret on August 20, 1940. She always enjoyed reminiscing about her many memories of life growing up on that farm.  She attended grade school in nearby Walum, and high school at Hannaford High, graduating in 1958.  She was a talented vocalist, pianist and organist.

That summer while working at Montgomery Ward in Valley City, ND, she took a liking to salesman, Bart Thompson.  She had plans, however, and in the fall moved to Fargo, ND, to attend Dakota Business College.  Bart moved to California.  Their separation was short-lived for by the spring of 1959, they were both back in Valley City and had announced their engagement.

With a snow storm raging, Myrna and Bart were married at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Walum, ND, on November 22, 1959.  Following the wedding they made their home in Valley City where their children, Gregg (1960) and Stacey (1962), were born.

Bart took a job as the manager of the Sears Catalog Store in Valley City in 1962.  In 1964, Sears transferred him and his young family to Grafton, ND, and then in 1966, to Bozeman, MT.  Myrna put her bookkeeping skills to work while employed by the City of Bozeman, and later by Williams Texaco.  In January of 1977, Myrna and Bart went to work for themselves.  They opened Thompson’s Rental Shop, an equipment and party rental store with a costume shop where they worked side by side for the next 28 years before retiring.   Myrna kept the books, managed the finances, and took care of many, many happy customers with her expertise in party rentals and costumes.  Myrna was always a hard worker. 

Myrna loved:  her family above all, being Norwegian, making lefse, holidays, long phone calls, keeping track of Bart, sharing her love of horses with her grandchildren, trips to ND in the motor home, Fox News, Hershey’s Kisses, George Strait concerts in Vegas with Stacey, hosting visiting family and friends, sharing her caramel rolls, and trips to Disney’s Old Key West. 

In January of 2023 Myrna and Bart left the house at the foot of the mountains that had been their home for 44 years and moved into the Bozeman Lodge.

Myrna is survived by Bart, her husband of 63 years; her son, Gregg,  and daughter, Stacey;  3 granddaughters, Christina Hawkins, Heather (Jordan) Beene, and Amy (Geoff ) Dowell; 8 great-grandchildren,  Marcellas Crosby, Matalina Hawkins, Mirielle Hawkins, Benjamin Klompien, Taylor Klompien, Peyton Dowell, Neya Dowell, and Olivia Dowell; one sister, Connie Louden and one brother, Loren (Jerrie) Skjeret; and many beloved sisters-in-law,  brothers-in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; and her siblings, Audrey, Vivian, Leon and Alfred Jr.

Burial will be at St. Olaf Cemetery, Walum, ND, on Monday, May 22nd, 2023 at 10 a.m. 

A Memorial Service for Myrna is planned for Saturday, June 17th, 2023 at 2:30 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in Hannaford, ND.   Light food/refreshments will be provided following the service.