Marian Yvonne Henrikson Thompson

Marian Yvonne Henrikson was born June 21, 1939 at Valley City, North Dakota, the first of four children to Harold Martin Henrikson and Harriet Mae Libak Henrikson. They lived on the family farm near Fort Ransom, ND, and in Bismarck and Fargo, ND. Marian was baptized at Standing Rock Lutheran Church in Fort Ransom, and she was confirmed at American Lutheran Church (now Peace Lutheran) in Fargo in 1954. Following graduation from Fargo Central High School in 1957, Marian enrolled at Methodist-Kahler School of Nursing in Rochester, Minnesota, and in 1960 began her career in nursing as a Registered Nurse. She worked at Saint Luke’s Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she led the start-up of their first cardiac care unit. Thereafter, Marian often worked in cardiac care units. In the early 1960’s, Marian and four of her classmates moved to New York City to work. They took a summer to tour Europe, putting five women in a small VW and adventuring. After her time out east and in Europe, Marian returned to work at St. Luke’s Hospital in St. Paul.

In 1972, Marian married Lawrence Herbert Thompson. Larry was a long time agent with the Customs Service of the United States Treasury Department. They lived in Saigon, South Vietnam for five years, and then Vientiane, Laos. While in Vietnam, Marian and Larry facilitated the adoption by Bennett & Vickie Henrikson of the little boy who became their nephew, Nathan. They left Vietnam shortly before the fall of Saigon. On their return to the United States, they lived in Long Beach, California. Later, Larry’s work took them to Saudi Arabia, where he led the modernization of their Customs service. Marian worked as a clinic nurse for the Department of Defense. They lived in Riyadh.

Following Larry’s retirement, Marian and Larry lived in Silver Spring, Maryland for over 25 years. Marian worked at the Seventh Day Adventist Hospital in Silver Spring for several years. After her retirement, Marian studied French History at George Washington University, receiving her Master’s degree. Marian and Larry enjoyed long rides into the countryside while listening to a variety of books and lectures on tape. They also traveled, including many trips to North Dakota to visit Mama and Papa, and to see brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Marian enjoyed activities with her lady friends, walking, reading, music, hosting visitors to DC, crosswords, attending church, volunteering, gardening, concerts, and plays.

Larry beat three different cancers, and fought Parkinson’s Disease, but succumbed to complications from pneumonia in 2009. In 2015, Marian moved from their Silver Spring home to an independent living cottage at Collington Retirement Community in Mitchellville, MD. In 2016 she transferred to The Arbor, a memory care unit at Collington. Marian died August 10, 2018 at age 79.

Marian’s survivors include her brothers, Bennett (Patricia), Russell, and Bradley; nephews Paul Henrikson, Nathan Henrikson, Glenn Henrikson, and Robert (Tasha) Henrikson; grand-nieces Jazmynn and Addyson Henrikson; niece Kristin Henrikson (Jon Brandt); and grand-nephew Kai Paul Henrikson Brandt. Marian was preceded in death by her parents, her grandparents, and her sister-in-law Carol (Russell) Henrikson.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 20 at 10:00 AM at Collington Episcopal Life Care Community, 10450 Lottsford Road, Mitchellville, MD 20721, in The Arbor Game Room.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 3 at 11:00 AM at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, 215 South 7th Street, Fargo, ND 58103.

Following the memorial service in Fargo, interment for Marian & Larry will be at Standing Rock Lutheran Church Cemetery at Fort Ransom, ND, alongside Marian’s parents.

Memorials may be sent to The Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org), or The Arthritis Foundation (arthritis.org).