Delores Thompson

Delores Thompson, of Mandan, ND unexpectedly passed away from natural causes at the winter home of a family member in Harlingen, TX on December 7, 2024. “Dee” (as she was known to all), was born on January 29, 1935 in Mandan, the first-born child of Elizabeth “Betty” (Gartner) and Eugene Birkmaier. She graduated from high school in Wolf Point, MT in 1953 and then attended business school in Denver, Colorado where she met and married Stephen Snyder with whom she had three children. In 1961, Dee settled back in Mandan to raise her young family. After a lengthy courtship, Dee married Marvin Thompson on September 28, 1978 and together they cared for Dee’s aging mother in a home that was always a warm and hospitable oasis for family and friends alike. For many years, Dee worked at the state capitol in Bismarck, providing secretarial services for the North Dakota State Department of Health until she took an early retirement in 1993 to spend more time with Marvin and the rest of her family.

Dee was a simple, yet deeply faithful woman who always trusted in the divine providence of God. She was steadfast in her love for family, sacrificing much for her children in their early years and her parents and sister as they aged. She was likewise tremendously devoted to and supportive of her grandchildren, who lived both near and far. Dee enjoyed many hobbies over the span of her life, including crocheting, needlepoint, cooking, gardening, puzzles, and card games. She loved nature, finding immeasurable joy in the beauty of her flowers, the melodies of song birds, and even the warmth of sunlight, for which she always gave thanks to the Lord.

Delores was preceded in death by her parents Eugene and Betty, her husband Marvin, a brother Rev. James Birkmaier, and a sister, Sandra Birkmaier.

She is survived by her children Diane (Mike) Enslin of Minot, ND, Donna (Wayne) Becker of Mandan, ND, and Kenneth (Gail) Snyder of Andover, MN; step-daughter Marvia Boettcher of Newberg, OR; grandchildren Jay (Denise) Boettcher of Bursa, Türkiye, Mark Boettcher of Janesville, WI, Kyle Becker of Nashville, TN, Patrick Becker of Denver, CO, Nicholas Snyder of Nixa, MO, Stephanie (Kelvin) Ying of Catonsville, MD, and Sarah (Kyle) Boylan of Blaine, MN; four great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren. 

Service and burial arrangements for this coming Spring are pending.