Nanian Garfield Thompson, 91, of Eau Claire died Friday, May 27, 2005, at Luther Hospital. He was born on May 5, 1914, in Buxton, North Dakota, the ninth son of Tobias H. and Julia (Swenson) Thompson. He grew up on the family farm and was baptized and confirmed at Ringsaker Lutheran Church in Belmont, North Dakota.\r\nNanian was proud of his Norwegian heritage and took great pleasure in his family which included 20 brothers and sisters, growing up in the Red River Valley of North Dakota on the land his father pioneered.\r\nHe was called to the service of his country in World War II, entering the United States Army in 1942. He proudly served with the 168th Infantry in North Africa and Italy, suffering wounds during the Italian campaign. He was honorably discharged from service on September 30, 1945. \r\nHe followed some of his siblings to Eau Claire and married Elaine Audrey Bergum on August 9, 1948. Nanian worked at the Gillette Tire Company before joining his father-in-law in operating and eventually owning Bergum Garbage Service until his retirement on October 1, 1979.\r\nHe was an active member of Concordia Lutheran Church, serving as Congregation President for many years, delegate to the Evangelical Lutheran Synod Convention, member of the synod's Mission Board, and on many other boards and committees of his church during his years of faithful service.\r\nNanian is survived by his wife of 56 years, Elaine; three sons, Gary (Paula), David, and Brian (Susan) all of Eau Claire; a daughter, Lynette (James) Firle of New Ulm, MN. He was very proud of his eight grandchildren, Benjamin, Abigail, and Molly Thompson, Jennifer (Tony) Burt, Jacob Firle, Daniel, John, and Rachel Thompson.\r\nHe is further survived by two sisters, Adeline Rauk of San Diego, CA, and Ethel (James) Johnson of Eau Claire; and many nieces and nephews.\r\nHe was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, Clarence, Albert, Willard, Tilman, and Rudolph; four sisters, Selma Larson, Anna Thompson, Lilah Nelson, and Mable Gruhlke; four half-brothers, Henry, Gilbert, Arthur, and Tracey; and four half-sisters, Hilda Thompson, Othelia Aamodt, Magda Rasmussen and Anna Thompson.\r\nFuneral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 4, 2005, at Concordia Evangelical Lutheran Church with Rev. Frederick W. Theiste officiating. Burial will be in Rest Haven Cemetery in the town of Washington, where VFW Post # 305 will conduct military graveside rites. Family and friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home and one hour prior to services Saturday at the church.\r\n

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