Kenneth "Ken" Thompson

Kenneth "Ken" Thompson 63, longtime Superior area resident and President of Jeff Foster Trucking passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, May 2, 2009 at St. Luke's Hospital, Duluth.
Ken was born in Duluth, Minnesota on August 13, 1945 the son of Arvid and Edna Mae (Wahlund) Thompson.
Ken graduated from Duluth East High School in 1963 and attended UMD.
He was married to Tina Melin on Valentines Day, 1981 in Duluth, Minnesota and recently celebrated twenty-eight years of marriage.
Ken served with the Minnesota Air National Guard, 148th Fighter Group for over 23 years.
He was actively involved in the community and was a current Director of the Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association, past two terms President of the Superior Business Center, member of the Duluth Superior Transportation Association, Rotarian, Toastmaster, and former Toastmaster of the year. Ken was a private pilot, a member of the Storm Riders Snowmobile Club, and Nemadji Men's Golf League. Many will remember him as a Youth Hockey coach and referee in Duluth Heights.
He owned and drove a Midwest Modified stockcar competing as recently as 2008. Ken also attended NASCAR training school in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Ken was a Great Listener, Wonderful friend, caring and loving husband and Father. At work and in his personal life he was a “Go To” guy with sound, well thought out, advice.
Ken will be deeply missed by his wife Tina, Superior; daughters, Cara (Jake) Rudolph, Princeton, New Jersey; and Anne (David) Paulus - Belock, Cleveland, Ohio; son, Erik Thompson, Sheridan, Wyoming; sister, Joyce (Stewart) Peterson, Duluth, sisters in law, Andrea (Douglas) Hackman, Scandia, Minnesota; and Marcia (Richard) Kahl, Arizona; nieces, Krista and Stacie Peterson, Duluth, brothers-in-law, Dr. Bruce (Christine) Melin, Garden City, Kansas and Paul (Roxanne) Melin, Richmond, Virginia; cousin, Richard (Marilyn) Thompson; and very special aunt, Dora Thompson.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation will begin at 5:00PM, Tuesday, May 5, 2009 in the Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home, 1209 East 5th Street, Superior. Visitation will continue at 1:00 PM, Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, 1924 Wyoming Avenue, Superior until the 2:00 PM Funeral Service with Pastor Sarah Larsen officiating.
Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Superior.
Pallbearers for the service will be Jeff Foster, Leo Naumann, Ron Carlson, Paul Melin, Dave Belock, Stewart Peterson, Erik Thompson and Stan Augustine.
Honorary pallbearers will be David Hackman, Dr Bruce Melin, Doug Hackman and Dick Sandeen, Don Wagner, Larry Johnson, and Jon Foster.