Duane Leroy Thompson

Duane L. Thompson passed away on Monday, January 12, 2026, at New Richland Care Center at the age of 79. There will be a visitation held at Bayview Freeborn Funeral Home in April 2026.

Duane was born on December 14, 1946, to Robert and Marian Thompson at Naeve Hospital in Albert Lea. He spent the first few years of his life on a farm south of Albert Lea.

In 1950, the family moved to a farm on the south edge of Clarks Grove where Duane was expected to help with chores. As a young teen, Duane had a paper route delivering the Albert Lea Tribune to residents in Clarks Grove.

In 1964, the Thompson family (now nine children) moved to a dairy farm northwest of Clarks Grove. As a young adult, Duane enjoyed painting by numbers and showing pigeons with a neighbor and friend of the family. Duane’s first employment was making concrete farm tile and driving forklift at Ravenhorst Concrete of Clarks Grove. When plastic farm tile took over the market, he found employment working for several different hog confinement farms.

In August of 2003, Duane was injured in a single car rollover that left him with a neck injury which resulted in his early retirement.

While residing at Whispering Oak Place, he met the love of his life, Cathy Solberg. Cathy and Duane enjoyed three and a half years together until her passing in November 2025.

Duane is survived by his siblings, Eugene (Andrea) Thompson, Charlotte (Ben) Barrentine, Nathan Thompson (Barb Reed), Leslie (Gretchen Kimmes) Thompson, Linda (Kevin) Kelly, Marvin Thompson, Everett (Karina) Thompson, and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his dear love, Cathy Solberg; parents, Robert and Marian Thompson; brother, Roger Thompson; sister-in-law, Kristine Thompson; nephew, Ross Thompson; and numerous aunts and uncles.