Ella Emma Thompson of Nobleford, Alberta, passed away peacefully, with family by her side, July 16, 2019.  She was the dearly beloved wife of LeRoy Thompson, having shared 52 amazing years with him. Faithful and loving mother of Daryl (Carey), Cherie (Greg), and Holly (Ryan), the cherished grandmother of Alexandra, Brendan (fiancé, Ally), Abigail, Madison, Brianna, Danielle, Kali, Raila, and Blake, and dear soul-sister of Alvina and Margaret (Roger).   She was also dearly loved and appreciated by other friends and extended family.  Ella was predeceased by her parents, Gus and Helen Reiter.

Ella was born on February 23, 1944, in Wilkawischken, Lithuania.   In 1948, she immigrated to Canada with her parents.  Their first home was a grainery, on a sugar beet farm in Iron Springs, where her father’s cousin lived and worked.  Three years later, they moved to Picture Butte, where Ella attended school.  From there, she moved with her family to McNally and attended Kate Andrews school, in Coaldale, where she graduated.  Her love of children motivated her to pursue an education degree, attending both the University of Lethbridge and University of Calgary.   Following completion of her degree, she secured a job as a grade one schoolteacher at Noble Central School, during which time she resided at a boarding house.   In 1964, over the lunch hour at her residence, she met her future husband.  Three years later, on July 15, 1967, she and LeRoy were married at Christ Trinity Lutheran Church.

LeRoy and Ella were blessed with three beautiful children, Daryl, Cherie, and Holly.   Within the first six months of the birth of Daryl, they built a house in Nobleford, which they called home for the rest of their life together.   Relationships were the theme of Ella’s life, and many fond memories were created through camping and fishing as a family, as well as travelling from coast to coast, and through the western states, to visit family.  Everything she did was purposeful, and while at home her attention to detail and purpose-driven personality displayed itself in her beautiful garden and unique pysanky eggs.  She was also very passionate about music.  She loved to listen to music and especially, with the love of her life, dance to music.  Ella’s love, grace, and strength stemmed from one source, Jesus Christ, who clearly touched many people through her life.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00am, on Friday, July 26, 2019 at CHRIST TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH, 416 – 12 STREET SOUTH, Lethbridge, Alberta, with Reverend Olivier Ravelojaona, officiating.

For those who wish, memorial donations may be made in Ella’s name to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, 724 13 Street North, Lethbridge, Alberta T1H 2T1, or to St. Michaels Health Centre Foundation, 1400, 9th Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta, T1J 4V5.