Jerry Lee Thompson, age 75 of New Ulm died unexpectedly on Monday, August 22, 2022, with his family by his side at the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis after an accident at his home.

Mass of Christian burial will be 11 am on Monday, August 29, 2022, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in New Ulm.  Father Jerry Meidl will celebrate the Mass, and burial will follow at the New Ulm Catholic Cemetery.

Full military honors will be provided by the New Ulm Area Comrades of Valor Honor Guard.

Visitation will be held from 2-5 pm on Sunday, August 28, 2022 and continue from 9-10:30 am on Monday, August 29, 2022 at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home-South Chapel in New Ulm.

To leave an online condolence for his family, or to sign the guestbook, go to: mvfh.org

Jerry is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Connie Thompson of New Ulm; his daughters, Kari (Jeff) Lyon and their children, Addison and Ethan of Eden Prairie, Jenni (Scott) Klement and their children, Paige and Taylor of Stewartville; his step-mother, Delores Thompson of Eagle Lake; his brother, Thomas (Rebecca) Thompson of Waterville; his half-brother, Dennis Thompson of St. Clair; his step-sisters, Nancy Beadelll, Ginny Lien, Marilyn Pierce, Cathy Sieberg; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Dorothy Thompson; and his sister, Judith Pringle.

Jerry Lee Thompson was born May 30, 1947, in Mankato to Donald and Dorothy (Stanke) Thompson.  He grew up in Eagle Lake, Minnesota and was a 1965 graduate of St. Clair High School.  Soon after graduation, Jerry proudly enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served with the 7 ^th Fleet out of San Diego from 1965-1968 and was deployed to Vietnam.  After his honorable discharge, Jerry furthered his education at the Mankato Vocational College where he studied Mechanical Drafting.  Jerry worked a long and dedicated career at Kraft Foods in New Ulm as a Maintenance Engineer/Supervisor until his retirement in 2004.  As an avid outdoorsman, Jerry enjoyed fishing and hunting with his favorite German Shorthairs Chellsy and Kedra.  He was a member of Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, Delta Waterfowl, as well as the Minnesota Waterfowl Association.  To give back to the country he proudly fought for, he was also a member of the New Ulm American Legion Seifert-Bianchi Post 132, the New Ulm VFW, the New Ulm DAV, as well as President of the New Ulm Area Comrades of Valor Honor Guard.  Jerry will forever be remembered for his quick-witted sense of humor.  As a detailed and organized man, he always had a plan, and always made time to socialize with friends and neighbors.  He was humble, patient, and always respectful.  What he loved most in life was time he got to spend with his family (4 ^th of July fireworks, dancing in the living room with his grandkids, and joking around the kitchen counter).  He cherished every moment he got to spend with them, and especially loved getting to see his grandchildren grow.  He will forever be remembered by all who had the honor of knowing him.  Blessed be his memory.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to New Ulm American Legion Seifert-Bianchi Post 132, New Ulm Area Comrades of Valor Honor Guard, or donor's choice.