JOSEPH THOMPSON

Urbandale

Services for Joseph W. Thompson, 35, who passed away Wednesday, September 14, 2016, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 20 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Indianola with cremation to follow services.

Joe was born and raised in Muscatine before moving to Indianola at the age of six. He attended Irving Elementary, Indianola Middle School, and Indianola High School. He earned the Iron Man honor from Indianola's wrestling team by attending every single practice for all four years of high school. He authored the Pulitzer Prize winning article, "Who is DJ?" for the Indianola high school newspaper and he once blocked three punts in one game for Indianola's football team.

Joe wrestled for Iowa State in the early part of his college experience. He completed his bachelors of science in nursing from Grandview University. He was the proud father of Lincoln Hendrix Thompson and cared for him as a stay at home dad. He loved cats. Frisky, Prickly Pete, Varley, and Little Kitty were incredibly lucky to find a good home with Joe over the years.

The Deftones were his favorite band. The Strokes, Radiohead, Mumford and Sons, Slip Knot, and The Jimi Hendrix Experience were also. His teams were the Lions, Iowa State, and the Cubs. He loved the fall football seasons even if his teams would break his heart.

He was married to the love of his life, Deborah Helsen Thompson. They were married just shy of six years and were best friends for fifteen. He proposed in Amsterdam. They traveled, went to concerts, and laughed together. Their love was special and is eternal.

He loved being a part of such a large family and he loved his father Roger, brother Marc, and niece Maddy. But never did a son love his mother as Joe loved Shari. He called his mother every day.

He gave the warmest of embraces. He had the purest of heart. His smile made you feel special. If you were a close friend in high school, his nicknames for you made other people laugh. If you rooted for the University of Iowa you were the opponent but only after he smiled at you, before embracing you would he mention that you are rooting for the wrong team.

Survivors include his wife, Deborah; son, Lincoln Hendrix; parents, Roger and Shari Thompson; father-in-law, Louis Helsen Jr.; grandmother, Mary Winslow; brother, Marc Thompson; brother-in-law, Lou (Kathi) Helsen; sister-in-law, Laura Pitre; and nieces and nephews, Maddy Thompson, Ryann and Louie Helsen, and Matthew, Daniel and Nathan Pitre. He was preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Carol Helsen; grandfather, Edd Winslow; and grandparents, Max and June Thompson.

Visitation will be held 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., Monday, September 19 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church where family will be present to greet friends. In leiu of flowers memorials may be given to the family for son Lincoln's college fund. Online condolences may be made at www.overtonfunerals.com.