H. Stuart Thompson, age 88 of Darlington, passed away Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017 at his home. He was born August 26, 1928 in Dodgeville, the son of Willis and Alice (Lindholm) Thompson. Stuart graduated from Darlington High School in 1945. He was united in marriage to Betty I. Tregoning on Feb. 20, 1954 at Darlington United Methodist Church in Darlington. Stuart lived in the Darlington area his entire life where he farmed from 1945 until his retirement in 2005.
Stuart is survived by his wife Betty at home; four children: Cynthia (Glenn) Sato of Copperas Cove, Texas, John (Lori) Thompson of Ashton, Ill., Darci (Paul) Kluesner of Blue Mounds, and Wayne (Joan) Thompson of rural Darlington; 10 grandchildren: Jessica Embrick, Dana Hudson, Jory Erpenbach, Michelle Evans; Peter, Mike, and Mark Thompson; Grady Kluesner; Kari and Kyle Thompson; 10 great-grandchildren; and one brother-in-law: Bob Tregoning. He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter in infancy; one sister: Norma Thompson; and one sister-in-law: Janet Halvorson.
Stuart was a member of Darlington United Methodist Church and a past Board of Trustees member. He was a former Board member of both Lafayette Farmco and Farm Bureau.  He was also a proud member of Evening Star Lodge #64 Free and Accepted Masons of Darlington and Alpha Chapter #114 Order of the Eastern Star of Argyle. Stuart was a farmer first and foremost and dedicated all of his working years to his profession. Stuart enjoyed hunting, fishing, and taking daily trips to the Mini-Mart to exchange information with his coffee friends. Stuart also enjoyed his vegetable garden, planting only the vegetables he liked. He loved the Sundays with his bible study group at the Methodist Church, learning and exchanging ideas over the years. Stuart enjoyed traveling and cherished the time he spent with his family, creating memories that will stay with them forever. He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by his family and friends.
A funeral service will be held Friday, Jan. 13, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Darlington United Methodist Church (546 Park Place, Darlington) with Rev. Angela Steinhauer officiating. Burial will be in Union Grove Cemetery. A visitation will be held Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with an Eastern Star service to begin at 7:45 p.m. at Erickson Funeral Home (508 Main Street, Darlington). A visitation will also be held from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. on Friday at the church. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com.
For those who prefer, a memorial fund has been established in Stuart’s name.