Altha May Thompson

Altha May Thompson, 85, passed away peacefully on July 25th in Sandpoint, Idaho. Altha was born May 5th, 1926 to Albert William and Sophia Clare ( Skierka) Moles, at Belknap, Montana. She attended school in Belknap and Thompson Falls. Her first job was cooking for the haying crew on the Charlie Daniels ranch. After high school graduation, she worked for 5 years in the Agricultural Adjustment Administration Office in Thompson Falls, followed by 17 years in the Treasures Office until her retirement. She also wrote a weekly blog of Belknap news for the Sanders County Ledger in trade for her weekly newspaper in the 1960’s. Altha met the love of her life, Rex Hudson Thompson in Oct. of 1949 when Rex was doing ranch work for neighbor, Bob Louden. Rex & Altha were married on (Easter Sunday), April 9th 1950 at the family ranch in Belknap. They were married for 50 years, until Rex passed away in 2000. Altha & Rex enjoyed many years traveling with their 5th wheel & boat. They especially enjoyed camping and fishing at Lake Koocanusa near Libby with family & friends. Gardening, cooking, crocheting afghans, playing cards and Bingo were some of the many activities that she enjoyed. Altha was always a Montana girl at heart, but moved to Sandpoint in 2007 to be closer to her children. She has most recently resided at The Bridge Assisted Living facility. Altha was a dedicated Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother, and Grandmother and Great-Grandmother, and the glue that held the family together. A tribute to her dedication was the fact that she acquired a pen pal over 70 years ago, and remained “pen pal friends”, through cards & letters to this day. Altha was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Sophia Moles, her Husband, Rex Thompson, Stepson, Edward, and her 6 Brothers, Leo, Les, Cy, Will, Tuff, and Louie Moles. She was the last surviving of the 7 children, and was very proud of the fact that all of her Brothers served in the Military, and all came home. Altha is survived by her 3 children. Don (Joette) Thompson of Trout-Creek, Montana, Del (Lynne) Thompson, of Sandpoint, Idaho, and Diane (Marty) Maurer of Sandpoint, Idaho. 7 Grandchildren, Logan (Christina) Maurer, Nicole and Dylan (Mandy) Thompson, Eric (Tina) and Garrett Thompson, and Eddie and Alan (Christine) Thompson. 4 Great Grandchildren, Damon & Amerae Maurer, Bradley Thompson, and Levi Thompson, and many nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be held at the Whitepine, Montana Cemetery on Saturday, July 30th at 11:00am M.S.T. The family requests that any donations be made to Hospice Care at Sandpoint.