Obituaries : Grace A Thompson

Grace A Thompson died Feb. 9, 2026 at Good Samaritan Nursing Home, Battle Lake, Minnesota. She lived in Cedar Rapids from 1963 to 2024, and also lived at Stoney Point Meadows in Cedar Rapids until moving to Minnesota in 2024.

Grace was born Dec. 26, 1930 in Ortonville, Minn. She graduated high school in Pipestone, Minn., received a BS in music from Westmar College, Le Mars, Iowa, and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1952.

She first taught K-12 Music at Dysart, Iowa, and at Benton Community Schools in the 1950s.

She Married Robert Thompson in 1953 and moved to Cedar Rapids IA in 1963.

Grace taught private piano, voice, trumpet and organ in her home in Cedar Rapids into her mid-80s to hundreds of young people. One of her trumpet students of note is Steve Buttleman, currently the Bugler at Churchill Downs Kentucky.

Grace was a longtime member of the Beethoven Club even serving as president. She sang solo with CR Symphony and CR Civic Chorus.

She is survived by sons David (Beverly) Thompson, Battle Lake, Minn., and Paul (Linda) Thompson, Palo, Iowa; two grandchildren, Tia Thompson, Nicholas Thompson (Angel); one stepgrandchild, Clarissa Caro; and six great-grandchildren, Stephanie, Peyton, Kaydence Thompson, Nathan and Ethan Caro and Casey Bozek.

Grace was preceded in death by Robert, her husband of 70 years, and son Paul Thompson. Cards can be sent to Dave Thompson, 27621 County Highway 83, Battle Lake, MN 56515.