Don Thompson

Graveside Services: Will be held on Tuesday, May 29, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. at the Greenfield Cemetery with full military graveside rites by the Greenfield American Legion Head-Endres Post No. 265 and V.F.W. Post No. 5357.  

Luncheon: The family would like to invite everyone to the Greenfield United Methodist Church following the graveside services for a luncheon. 

There will be no visitation. 

Memorials: Memorials may be directed to the Don Thompson memorial fund to be established by the family. 

Don Cletus Thompson was born January 16, 1931 to Harry and Alma (Fleming) Thompson. Don spent his childhood days in Greenfield before leaving for the Army in 1948, where he would spend the next six years of his life, achieving the rank of sergeant. He served his country proudly during the Korean War.

On November 13, 1954, Don married Shirley Joan (Shatava) Fredrick in an Omaha hospital after the wedding party’s car was broadsided by a tanker truck at an intersection in Omaha. This union included four children, Ted, Bob, Tom and Becky from Shirley’s previous marriage. In 1955, a son Steve was born. Don and Shirley were able to blend the two families into one.

The couple located in Greenfield in a house on SW Jackson Street that Don remodeled himself. Don self-taught himself in various jobs in order to provide for his family. Don’s jobs included learning carpentry from Ed Kellenberg. He was on the furnace crew at Thermogas for several years, before taking a job at the Greenfield Light Plant. Don spent 18 years as a truck driver for G&H Freight Lines in Greenfield. He was also the maintenance man at Greenfield Manor.

Don’s retirement years were spent with family and friends and taking trips with his wife Shirley. He was an avid woodworker, making many memorable keepsakes in Grandpa’s Workshop and enjoyed reading books. He once remarked that he must have read all the books in the Greenfield City Library. Other hobbies included raising a garden and raising his Dachshund puppies.

Don’s family grew throughout the years to 15 grandchildren: Tara Ross, Gabe Shatava, Josh Shatava, Caleb Shatava, Kim Sanca, Justin Shatava, Sean Shatava, Sally Shatava, Angie Frankl, Lisa Osberg, Thomas Frahm, Jamie Berkley, Jenni Madsen, Tim Wallace and Bridget Sickles. The family also included 40 great grandchildren.

Don was preceded in death by his son Harry “Ted” Shatava, parents Harry and Alma Thompson, in-laws Harry and Eva Fredrick, sister Dorothy (Dick) Main, brother Bob Dory and daughter in-law Terri Duitsman Shatava.

Don is survived by his wife of 63 years Shirley Joan, four children: Bob (Janelle) Shatava of Marshalltown, Tom (Lorraine) Shatava of Grimes, Becky (Ted) Wallace of Greenfield and Steve (Pam) Thompson of Greenfield and daughter in-law Pat Shatava of Clarinda; sister Diana Thompson of Greenfield, brother Gene Thompson of Fontanelle and many friends.