THOM (LAVERNE) THOMPSON
THOM (LAVERNE) THOMPSON
Thom (LaVerne) Thompson, a longtime resident of Palm Springs CA, died Monday, April 27, 2026. He died peacefully with his California family and friends at his side
He and his twin sister, LaVonne, were born in Black River Falls, WI, to Lloyd and Judith Thompson Dec. 27, 1935. After graduation in 1954 from Jackson High School in Hixton, he farmed in the Northfield area for a couple years. In April 1957, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He was an electrical engineer at Truax Air Force Base in Madison. After his military tour was over, he became the lead bartender at the Nob Hill Supper Club in Madison. Nob Hill was known for being a popular destination for the likes of Gov/Senator Gaylord Nelson and William Proxmire as well as other political subjects. Thom and his partner, Dick Imig, decided to buy a farm (The Judson Place) in May Coulee, near Northfield in 1968. Dick was a pilot for Lunda Construction and Thom became the logistics manager at Lunda. During the late 70s, Thom and Dick bought The Castle Hill Supper Club. Over a few years, they decided to sell the supper club and their cabin in Lake Holcombe to buy (The Lodge), a large log cabin home owned by a Schlitz Beer heir. After Thom retired from Lunda after many years, it was time to retire to Palm Springs CA. After many years together, Rudy Gobady and Thom were happily married until he died April 27. While living in Palm Springs, Thom had a cat named Trouble, he loved that cat, but after many years the cat passed away. Thom purchased two Bengal cats and loved them alot even though they were rambunctious.
Thom was preceded in death by his father, Lloyd; his mother, Judith; his partner, Dick Imig; and his brother, Warren Haugen.
He is survived by his husband, Rudy Gobady; his sister, LaVonne (Thompson) Bordner of Holmen; his brothers, David Thompson of Appleton, and Marvin Haugen of Waukesha; and his sister, Shirley (Haugen) Melby, of Black River Falls. Thom is also survived by 5 nieces and 3 nephews.