Obituary
Jane Arlene Thompson (formerly Broughton, formerly Brinkman) died peacefully on April 29, 2024, in her “happy place” of Fort Myers, FL. She was surrounded by family and friends.
Jane was born in West Union, IA to Arlene (Boess) and Walter Broughton on October 22, 1947. Her family moved to Dubuque, IA, and she graduated from Dubuque Senior High School in 1965. She then spent 2 years at Wartburg College before adventuring out to Colorado to get a certificate in cytotechnology. She described her job to others as “I worked in the lab in a hospital.” It was a career that she loved for 40 years. She eventually made her way to St Paul, MN, where she worked, married Joe Brinkman, and raised their children until their divorce. She proudly received her Bachelor of Arts in 1995 from Metro State University. In 1998, she married William Thompson and moved to a new adventure on the farm in Arlington, IA. She continued to work at Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids, IA. In retirement, she spent her winters in Fort Myers and summers in Iowa. It was the perfect balance. She spent her time traveling, gardening, reading, spending time with friends, golfing, and just being in the sun, at the beach, and the pool. She was a treasured volunteer on the library board in Arlington, IA. She loved her husband, kids, step-kids, grandchildren, and friends fiercely and was quick with advice and tough love.
She is survived by her loving husband, William (Bill) Thompson; her children, Jonz (Karina) Norine, Kimberly (Scott) Bacon, and Cynthia Brinkman; her stepchildren, Merinda (Chad) Struthers, Lydia Thompson, Elizabeth McIntyre, and Emily (Mike) Southall; her brother, Robert Broughton (Phyllis Frommelt); and 13 adoring grandchildren, all of whom were a source of joy and pride for her.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to the American Lung Association or the Arlington Public Library, 711 Main Street, Arlington, IA 50606.
A celebration of Jane’s life, a time to remember and honor her, will take place on May 26, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Arlington Community Center, 853 Main St, Arlington, IA 50606. We invite all who knew and loved her to join us in this tribute to a wonderful woman.
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