Edward Engle Thompson was born August 30, 1942 to LeRoy and Lois Thompson and spent his childhood at the family ranch on Alkali east of Sturgis. Ed attended 1st-8th grades at North Middle Alkali School. He was active in the Alkali Troopers 4-H Club and ultimately won the coveted 4-H Trip to Washington, D.C. He and his sister, Nancy, entertained many groups in the Black Hills area with their acrobatic routines. Ed attended Sturgis High School, graduating in 1960, where he played football and wrestled. Ed always knew he wanted to ranch on Alkali, but he also knew the value of a college education and attended the University of Wyoming in Laramie from 1960-66, earning degrees in animal husbandry and business. He was an active member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, holding several offices.
After graduating, Ed returned to Alkali and began ranching with his dad, who died in 1970. Ed would say that his expertise in ranching came from his dad, his uncle, Clayton Thompson, and the application of his education. Ed participated in community activities. He was on the County Fair Board, the Hospital Board, a member of the Jaycees and Kiwanis, and an active member of the First Presbyterian Church. In 1989, he was named the Outstanding Soil and Moisture Achievement winner for the Elk Creek Conservation District. Ed's sport was definitely polo, having played since he was a teenager with the Alkali Polo Team in Ket Ketelsen's pasture. Ed most enjoyed playing polo on his favorite horse, Poker, at the Rapid City field, which he helped build. All the while, he quietly and patiently cared for and developed the family ranch.
Nancy and her family came to the ranch every summer from the Washington, D.C. area. For her sons, Daniel and Peter, life on the ranch was a remarkable experience which formed them into the men they are today. From elementary school on they worked with and, most importantly, learned from Ed, helping with tasks around the ranch each summer. Adults in their home town saw the boys' work ethic and attributed much of that to their time at the ranch and the values Ed instilled in them.
On August 31, 2013, Ed married Rosalita Fritz at the ranch on Alkali. Rosy brought Ed much joy as they traveled and hosted family and friends at the ranch. On Saturday evenings, Ed and Rosy especially enjoyed dances at the Senior Center in Rapid City. They lived at the ranch until October, 2020, when they moved to the Primrose Retirement Village in Rapid City. On October 31, 2020, Ed was admitted to Monument Health Hospital in Rapid City and was diagnosed with COVID-19. After an extended hospital stay, complicated by his Parkinson's, Edward passed away on December 23, 2020, at the Hospice House in Rapid City. He was surrounded by his family.
He is survived by his wife, Rosy, and her children, Veronica (Justin) Kusser and family, Donavan (Renae) Schoon and family, and Gregory (Trish) Schoon and family; his sister, Nancy (Phil) Harlan; his nephew, Daniel (Beth) Harlan and son, Matthew James; and nephew, Peter Harlan (fiancée, Megan Donohue). He was loved by many and will be missed by all who remember his character and presence in the community.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 28, 2020 at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.
Due to concerns around COVID-19, a small family burial service will be held, followed by a larger memorial service later in 2021.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider a memorial donation to the First Presbyterian Church of Sturgis or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.

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