Ethel Thompson

Ethel Louise (Scherman) Thompson, a lifelong resident of Paola, KS, died April 4, 2024, at the age of 89.

Born to parents Louis George and Mary E (Miller) Scherman on July 31, 1934, at Guinea Roost Farm northwest of Paola, Ethel attended grade school in Lone Star District 46 before attending Ursuline Academy, graduating in the class of 1952. She was a member of the Progressive 4-H club for 8 years. Ethel met Harold E Thompson and after a courtship, they were joined in holy matrimony at Holy Trinity Church in Paola on October 10, 1953. They had three sons: Jeffrey Lynn, Bradley Alan, and Kirk E. As a family, Ethel loved taking vacations to Colorado, camping, and cycling with friends. After Harold’s passing in 1994, Ethel developed a strong independent lifestyle. She was known to be a person who met life face-to-face and thrived. Ethel loved to travel, with a few of her favorite trips being to Germany and Nova Scotia.

Ethel worked at the Miami County National Bank for 22 years as a receptionist, where she greatly enjoyed working with the public, before retiring in 1996. After surviving ovarian cancer in 1996, Ethel went on to have a lively retirement. She was active in the Shamrock study club, of which she was a charter member since 1958, and a member of the “Mermaids” water aerobics group. She was also a member and volunteer for the Miami Country Medical Center auxiliary.

Ethel spent a lifetime cultivating a beautiful family and an even more beautiful lawn. Ethel would extend a friendly wave to her neighbors while cruising on her Club Cadet, soaking in the sunshine that she loved, and maintaining a beautiful landscape that she took great pride in.

Such an amazing woman will never be forgotten by those whose lives she touched. The Thompson family wishes to extend their sincere appreciation and gratitude to everyone for their support and to the staff of Country Club Estates and Faith Home Hospice for their expertise and care of Ethel.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Mary, her husband Harold, her brother Bob, and her son Brad. She leaves behind her son Jeff and daughter-in-law Pam of Paola, son Kirk and daughter-in-law Jessica of Marion, IN, and sister-in-law Sharon Scherman of Paola. She also leaves behind grandchildren; Jennifer (and Dale) Kennedy of Wellington, CO, Tony Thompson, Andrew Thompson, and Jackie (and Andrew) Dillon of Gardner, KS. Ethel was a proud great-grandmother to Jared Kennedy and Alexis Kennedy of Wellington, CO and Murphy Dillon of Gardner, KS. Her memory will live on in the many family members and friends who remain.

Memorials may be made towards the Country Club Estates or Faith Home Health Hospice c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary-Paola Chapel 305 N. Pearl St. Paola, KS 66071.

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