Far Far's Obituary

The following was written by Gary Thompson, son of Arthur and Bergliot Thompson. Click here for Mor Mor's obituary.

Arthur (FarFar) Thompson, age 87, passed away at home on May 7, 2005 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Born August 20, 1917 in La Grange, Illinois, he was the only son of Kristian Thompson and Anne Sofie Knudsen, both of whom were Norwegian emigrants. Art had two older sisters, Clara and Elsie, and one younger sister, Ruth. He graduated from the Lion’s Township High School, La Grange, Illinois, in 1936. Art married Bergliot Paulsen of Salt Lake City September 14, 1940. They are the parents of 6 children. This September they would have been married 65 years.

In his youth Art excelled in sports including ice skating, running, and horse shoes. He worked as a golf greens-keeper, caddy, and as a Packard Car Salesman. He first met his bride-to-be, Berg, in 1936 when she visited her cousins, who also happened to be his cousins, in La Grange. Sparks ignited such that in 1940 Art drove his Ford Coupe Convertible to Salt Lake City where, after a brief courtship, they were married and settled.

From 1940 to 1981, Art worked in the construction business building schools, chapels, hospitals, commercial and government buildings. Most of that time he worked for the Finn B. Paulsen Construction Company, owned by his brothers-in-law Finn and Abel. He loved his trade and never lacked work because of his honest, quality workmanship and positive attitude. In1950 he built his beautiful family home on the East bench and has been generous with his skills helping friends and relatives build their homes. His main interests in retirement have been family and golf.

Art is survived by his wife Bergliot, his children, Judy (Allen) Leigh, Gary (Diane) Thompson, Chris Thompson, Heidi (Ross) Marchant, Tova (Timothy) Henry of Alaska, and Rolf (Janeen) Thompson, 30 grandchildren, and 29 great grandchildren. His parents and two sisters, Clara and Ruth, have preceded him in death.

Services will be held Thursday, May 12 at 12 PM in the Foothill 3rd Ward Chapel, (1794 So. Texas Street, 2405 East). Friends and family may call Wednesday from 6-8 PM, at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 South Highland Drive, or at the church on Thursday 10:30-11:30 AM., prior to services.