Robert “Bobby” David Thompson, 58, of Hillsdale, passed away November 1, 2023 as a result of a tragic grain bin entanglement.

He was born on May 6, 1965 to Robert and Joyce (Broker) Thompson. He was the youngest of three children. He graduated from Barron High School in 1983.

He married Mary Ann Forehand on May 17, 1991 and together they raised three children. He enjoyed farming alongside his dad and later bought his own dairy farm west of Barron until 1998 where he then moved a few miles east and built up his forever home on the grain farm working alongside his son Matthew. Matthew and Bobby had a bond like no other. They were best friends and were always helping each other whether it be in the field or wrenching in the shop late at night. They always seemed to have a project going no matter who’s farm they were on, Thompson Farms or the Home Farm.

As his kids grew up in the Barron community, Bobby attended many sports events to watch his kids play ball and cheer them on. During the summer, Bobby’s weekends were filled with tractor pulls and pedal pulls.

He cherished his grandkids above all. It all started in February of 2012, when his first granddaughter, Madelyn was born. Then again in May of 2013, when Brayden was born. In January of 2015, he welcomed twins, Bentley and Ava. He showed his love to his grandkids by taking them to school in the “Black Bus” either to Ridgeland or Cumberland. He also enjoyed taking them to Farm Tech Days, County Fairs, Pedal Pulls, Tractor Pulls, and teaching them all about the farm and how to drive tractors. Front yard baseball was always a favorite with their “Papa” pitching to them.

He loved being on the farm and he did enjoy family outings such as Minnesota Twins Games, Brewers games, Wild games, Hayrides, Lumberjack Championships and the Spooner Rodeo

He is survived by his wife Mary Ann; 3 children, Melissa (Justin Frieburg) Weinert of Dallas, Michelle (Dustin Slayton) Thompson of Cumberland, and Matthew (Maddie) Thompson of Hillsdale; 4 grandchildren, Madelyn & Brayden Weinert and Bentley & Ava Slayton; 2 bonus grandchildren, Collin & Oliver Frieburg; brother, Alan (Lisa) Thompson; father and mother-in-law, Randall (Sarah) Forehand; great-grandmother-in-law, Freida Lentz; brother and sister-in-law’s, Mark (Cheryl) Forehand & Lonnie (Dawn) Forehand; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents; parents, and sister, Janelle Reichert.

A funeral service for Bobby Thompson will be held on Monday, November 6, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Salem Lutheran Church in Barron. Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 5 from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Rausch and Steel Funeral Home in Barron and one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday morning. Burial will be at Wayside Cemetery in Barron.

Arrangements are being handled by Rausch and Steel Funeral Home in Barron.

Last Update: Nov 02, 2023 3:33 pm CDT