Alta Mae Thompson went to be with her Lord on the morning of September 4, 2012 at Bethany Home in Ripon with her loving husband Mearl and her children at her side.
She was born to Henry and Adeline Sand on February 25, 1928 in San Jose, CA. She was raised in the Willow Glen area of San Jose until her family moved to Ripon at the age of nine. She attended Ripon schools graduating from Ripon High School in 1946.
On July 17, 1948 she married the love of her life, Mearl Thompson. They were blessed with five children whom they raised in the Ripon area. In addition to being a full time mother, Alta Mae enjoyed sewing, baking, gardening and spending time with her family at their homes in Ripon, Modesto and their property in Jamestown.
Alta Mae was known for always having an open door to family and friends and always had the coffee on with fresh baked goodies. She was known for her loving manner and warm, plentiful hugs as a greeter at church for many years.
She was preceded in death by her parents Henry and Adeline Sand, brother and sister-in-law Henry and Edna Sand, Jr. and son-in-law Jake Kamper. She is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Mearl Thompson of Modesto, daughters, Sheryl (Robert) Van Groningen of Ripon, Judy Kamper of Ripon, Karen (Bob) Schemper of Modesto, Tina (Marty) Van Houten of Escalon and son, Steve (Sheila) Thompson of Ripon, thirteen grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren with one soon to arrive. Also included are many loving cousins, nieces and nephews.
She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. We rejoice in knowing we will see her again in Heaven. We want you to know the gift of your love will live on in our hearts forever.
Graveside services will be held on Saturday, September 8, 2012 at Ripon Cemetery at 9:30am with a “Celebration of Life” service to be held at Big Valley Grace Church in Modesto at 11:00am.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Big Valley Grace Church Music Dept, 4040 Tully Rd., Modesto, CA 95356 or Bethany Home, 930 Main Street, Ripon, CA 95366 or a charity of your choice.
Deegan Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements. For condolences to the family please visit our website at www.
deeganfuneralchapels.com
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012
