Memorial

Mildred Irene Thompson, 94, entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at The Klein Center in West Burlington, Iowa, after an extended illness. 

Funeral Service will be held on Monday, September 11, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories. A livestream of the funeral service may be accessed on the funeral home website under the obituary for Mildred Irene Thompson, under the video tab starting at 11:00 AM, Monday, September 11th. The family will greet friends from 4-7 PM, Sunday, September 10, 2023, at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. Burial will immediately follow service at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 

Known by family and friends by her middle name, Irene was born January 10, 1929, in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, the daughter of Ray D and Helen “Alice" (Harshbarger) Trueblood. She was united in marriage to her soulmate, Donald E. Thompson, on August 4, 1950. Don and Irene lived on their family farm near Central City, Iowa, until 1997 when he retired from farming, and they moved to Marion. 

Irene was a graduate of Prairie Gem School, Tippecanoe Township, Henry County, Iowa, and went on to attend Iowa State Teachers College, Cedar Falls, Iowa, (University of Northern Iowa), 1947 & 1948, to earn a two year teaching certificate. She taught 2nd grade in Marion, Iowa, for 2 years before marriage.  Irene later resumed teaching at Coggon Elementary (later North Linn Community Schools) and went back to earn her BA degree at the University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, August 7, 1968. Irene retired from teaching in 1989. 

She was an active member of Prairie Chapel Methodist Church, Marion, Iowa, a lifetime member of the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA) and the North Linn Retired Teachers Association. Later, while living with her sister Jeanette in Mount Pleasant, she enjoyed membership in several clubs, including Stitch & Chatter Neighborhood Club, South Center Club, Pleasant Pickers, and Coterie. 

She enjoyed family and friends, reading, and quilting. After retirement she spent many hours making quilts for all of her family members for their special occasions (graduations, weddings, new babies, to name a few).

Irene is survived by her three children; daughters, Janice (David) Adams, of Lake Zurich, IL, Donna (Martin) Finnegan, of Vermillion, SD, and son, Kevin (Debbie) Thompson of Columbia, MO; six grandchildren, Kari (Andy) Kilgore, James (Nikkie) Finnegan, Megan Tjeerdsma, Christine Adams, Kaitlyn and Alyssa Thompson; 6 great-grandchildren; 1 nephew  and many cousins and dear friends. 

Irene was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband, Don; her sister, Jeanette Roene Trueblood; and two brothers, Merlin H and Kenneth Wayne Trueblood. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association or the American Heart Association.