Visitation: Visitation, with family present, will be held Sunday from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. at Grand Valley Lutheran.
Service: A Celebration of Jean Life will begin at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, July 19, 2026 at Grand Valley Lutheran Church, Canton, SD.
Erma Jean “Jean” Thompson, age 83, died peacefully, Tuesday, July 14, 2026 surrounded by her family at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD. A Celebration of Jean Life will begin at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, July 19, 2026 at Grand Valley Lutheran Church, Canton, SD. Visitation, with family present, will be held Sunday from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. at Grand Valley Lutheran.
Jean was born on August 11, 1942 in Canton, SD to Emil and Iva Irene (Hemstock) Klepel. She grew up and attended school in Canton, graduating from Canton High School in 1960. She later took classes at Sioux Falls College. In addition to raising her three children, Jean worked at Ottis Radio, K-Products, Gateway and Keystone Treatment Center.
Jean was an active member of Grand Valley Lutheran Church where she enjoyed bible study and WELCA. She also loved traveling, especially with her family, butterflies, watching game shows, playing solitaire on her computer, and quilting. Above all else, she treasured time spent with her family. She will be remembered for her cheesy potatoes with smokies and her sweets.
Jean is survived by her children, Scott (Deb) Thompson, Dawn (Jeff) Bickett, and Shad (Susan) Thompson; 9 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; special niece, Edna Jorgensen; along with numerous extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters and brothers-in-law, Karen (Donald) Farnsworth, Charlotte (Louis) O’Brein, and Bonnie (LeRoy) Hemmer; brother, Emil Klepel Jr.; and granddaughter, Tasha Gilbertson. Jean’s family would like to thank Shane Thompson for all the help he provided to his grandma through the years.
I am so sorry for your loss. I went to college with Erma thirty some years ago. She was a good friend. She will be missed.
Scott and Deb , I’m so sorry to hear about your mom passing sending you my Condolences ….. Lynn Vaksdal
I am so sorry for your loss. Jean was a precious lady who loved her family to the moon and back. Hugs.
My prayers and thoughts are with you. Irma is with God now and will be free of pain. Her smile will always be remembered.
My deepest sympathy. She will be missed so much. She was a good friend.
Erma was always such a sweet lady. Sending my sympathy to her family and friends.
So sorry for your loss. I worked with Jean at Keystone. Spent many nights watching TV with her. We used to joke about having a date together every night we worked together. Her smile lit up the room. My condolences to the family.
So sorry for your loss. I worked with Jean at Otis, K-Products and Keystone she was a good friend and will be missed.