Verginia A. Thompson, 77, passed away Saturday, September 27, 2008, somewhat predictably, at the place she liked best, her cabin at Lake Traverse, just outside of Browns Valley, Minnesota. Memorial services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 3, 2008, at Eidsness-Zink Funeral Chapel in Elkton, South Dakota. Burial will be in Elkton City Cemetery. Verginia Ann Bolte was born to Frank and Ona (Kennedy Mueller ) Bolte in Elkton, South Dakota on December 25, 1930. She graduated from Elkton High School in 1948. Verginia was baptized and confirmed at Peace Evangelical Church. That same year she married Clifford Stoltenberg and moved to Sioux Falls. She worked at Rich Bros. Fireworks and Toys for over 43 years until retiring. She often worked at two jobs over the years and sold House of Stewart, waitressed, was owner-manager of Budget Tap and Mr. Eds, worked at Petes Tavern, and Pizza Ranch, as well as managing Country Inn in Wood Lake. After her retirement she ran a fireworks stand on the South Dakota side of Lake Traverse for several years. She became known as The Firecracker Lady.
She and Clifford divorced after 17 years and she later married Milton Thompson in 1968. After divorcing Milton and retiring, she spent her winters on her brothers farm north of Elkton. She enjoyed reading, fishing, motorcycle riding, dancing, bowling, traveling, family gatherings, and served as secretary of the ladies auxiliary for Dan Dugan truckers. Since being diagnosed with cancer about a year ago her health had been failing but never her determination to live life on her terms.
Survivors include one daughter, Carolynne Pederson Messler (Leon) of Sioux Falls; two grandchildren: Erik (Shannon) Pederson of Washington D.C. and Kristi Sullivan of Victorville, California; one great grandson, Brodderek Sullivan of Victorville; two step-granddaughters: Shannon (Brian) Hegge of Tea, South Dakota and Abbey Carlson of Sioux Falls; three step-great-grandchildren: Gage and Jasmine of Tea, and Jayden of Sioux Falls; four sisters: Eva Williams of Elkton, Marles (Arnie) Berthelsen of Wood Lake, Minnesota, Gloria Petersen of Wood Lake, and Darla (Loren) Wilaby of Hot Springs, South Dakota; a brother, Larry Bolte of Elkton; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws. Also thanks to special helpers and friends at the lake Vickie Schmitz, Graceville, and Dan and Marilyn Kirwan. She was preceded in death by her parents, an older sister, Mae, two husbands, a brother in-law, Lyle, and a niece, Linda.