“Tommy” Vernon Tompkins

“Tommy” Vernon Tompkins, 88, of Bode, passed away Tuesday at the Humboldt Care Center North. Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Saturday at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Bode with the Rev. Paul Breddin officiating. Interment will be in St. Olaf Cemetery, Bode. Visitation with the family will be from 5-8 p.m. Friday at the Mason-Lindhart Funeral Home in Bode.
“Tommy” Vernon R. Tompkins, the son of Roy and Ethel (George) Tompkins was born August 14, 1920 in Humboldt County. He was raised on a farm outside of Humboldt and graduated from Humboldt High School. After his schooling Tommy took up work at the Humboldt concrete plant and on May 17, 1940 in Fort Dodge, he was united in marriage to Charlotte Watnem. In the fall of 1944 Mr. Tompkins enlisted in the U.S. Armed Forces and served in the Philippines during WWII, it was there he was wounded and later received a Purple Heart and several other service awards for his efforts during the war. After his honorable discharge Mr. Tompkins and his family moved to a farm near Bode where Tommy farmed from 1946 until his retirement in 1977. They then toured the country delivering Winnebago campers until 1980 before moving into Bode in 1981
Mr. Tompkins was a member of the St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Bode where he served on the church council; he was a member of the American Legion, and of the Bode Elevator Coop Board. He enjoyed spending time with his family, traveling, and reading.
Tommy is survived by his five daughters and their spouses, Sandy (Garry) Kraft of Bode, Nancy (Bill) Mayhew of Rochester, MN, Barb (Larry) Dunlavy of Newton, Ginny (Jerry) Hawkins of Strawberry Point, and Marlyce (Ken) Lower of St. Louis, MO; 18 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and niece, Cheryl Tyler of Ankeny. He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Charlotte; and brother, Barry Tompkins.
In Lieu of flowers memorials may be made out to the St. Olaf Lutheran Church, the Bode Library, Hospice, or the Alzheimer’s Association.