Kenneth Meyer Thompson, 77

Ken Thompson, 77, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, was born Aug. 9, 1947, and passed away Feb. 15, 2025, in Liberty Lake, Wash. He lived his final months at Guardian Angel Homes near his wife, Anne. His parents, Wanda Salisbury Thompson and Chester Adrian Thompson, raised him in Brookings, Ore.

Ken is survived by Anne; and their three children and their families: Elizabeth, Trevor, Orion and Raena Tollefsbol; Mike, Molly, Caden and Natalie Thompson; and Ken, Mary, Cole and Emma Thompson. He is also survived by his sister, Nancy Owens; her daughters, Hollie Strahm and Heather Serna and her grandchildren; and Anne’s brothers and families: Patrick and Kay Merkel; and Larry and Rita Merkel, their children: Jennifer Merkel, Gretchen Lutes, Ryan Merkel and Marinna Thompson and their grandchildren.

Ken graduated from Brookings Harbor High School in 1965, where he wrote about sports for the school paper and joked about his career as a pinch runner. After a term of flight school and attending Portland Community College, he earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Southern Oregon College. He started his career with State Farm Insurance in Portland, Ore., where he met Anne Marie Merkel. On their first date, they went to a hockey game and left after the “second half.” They married June 23, 1973, in Bozeman, Mont. They enjoyed college sports and once sat next to Jack Nicholson and Michael Douglas at a basketball game. Years later, they were Zags season ticket holders.

In 1983, Ken took a job as the city finance director with the city of Coeur d’Alene. In the 1990s, he became the city administrator and was instrumental in revitalizing downtown Coeur d'Alene. He was also a longtime member of the Kiwanis Club and part of a strong core of community members that launched the Sting Soccer Club, a youth soccer organization that’s still thriving after 40 years of providing children with competition, physical activity and the camaraderie of being part of a team. He finished his career as the finance director for the city of Spokane Valley in 2012 and spent his retirement traveling and spending time with his grandchildren, following them to soccer tournaments, taking them to the fair and buying them go-kart tickets. His kids will remember him for how proud of them he was and for the opportunities he and Anne provided. Everyone will remember him for his sense of humor and his storytelling.

Ken’s life will be honored at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Yates Funeral Home — Hayden Chapel (373 E. Hayden Ave. Hayden, ID 83835). In lieu of flowers, family and friends are encouraged to make charitable donations to the Chetco Community Public Library in Brookings, Ore., or the Sting Soccer Club.

Please visit Ken’s online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.