Christian Biography of Jessica Thompson

Jessica Haley (McDole) Thompson, the daughter of Jerry and Ruth (Marget) McDole, was born on March 4, 1968, in Lincoln, Nebraska. She departed this life on September 6, 2017, at the Brodstone Memorial Hospital in Superior, Nebraska, at the age of 49 years, 6 months, and 2 days. Jessica was the second of five children that would be born in her family. In 1972, following the end of Jerry's schooling, her family moved to Red Cloud, Nebraska.

Jessica received her formal education at Red Cloud Public Schools, graduating a year early in May 1985. Upon graduating from high school, Jessica enrolled at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. She graduated in December 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics Education.

On June 5, 1993, she married Darren Thompson at the Guide Rock United Methodist Church. Jessica and Darren became the parents of four children--Aaron, Amanda, Anya, and Allison.

Jessica started her teaching career at Guide Rock Public Schools, teaching mathematics for grades 7-12. Through the years, Jessica would additionally teach at White Rock, Sandy Creek, Lawrence/Nelson, and Superior Public Schools. She also taught classes through the Educational Service Unit, as well as the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Teaching was undoubtedly a calling for her, and it was not unusual for her to take additional time to help her own students, as well as those who were not her pupils.

Faith was always at the center of Jessica's life. She was baptized and confirmed at the Red Cloud First United Methodist Church. She later was active in each of her local churches, including the Bethel Church, the Northbranch Friends Church, the Olive Hill Church, and the First Baptist Church of Superior, Nebraska.  She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Guide Rock, Nebraska. She strongly believed in the power of prayer, having recovered from a poor prognosis of Reye's syndrome in February 1974.

Not only did Jessica value the education of others, but she also valued advancing her own knowledge when the opportunity presented itself. She earned a Master of Arts in Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Nebraska at Kearney in 2005. Four years later, she obtained a Master of Arts for Teachers degree with a specialization in Teaching of Middle Level Mathematics from the Math in the Middle Institute partnered with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as a member of the Math in the Middle Cohort 4. In 2011, she began working toward a Doctor of Education degree in Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln.

Jessica was a member of the Red Cloud Assembly of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, serving as the Worthy Advisor, and later became a member of the Charity Chapter #47 Order of the Eastern Star. She served as president of the South Central Unified Education Association, 2004-2005. She served the community through the TeamMates Mentoring Program and helped to train other teachers as one of Nebraska's 30 Robert Noyce National Science Foundation Master Teaching Fellows, 2011 - 2016.  Additionally, she was a member of the Nebraska Association of Teachers of Mathematics (NATM), 1991-2017; the Nebraska Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), 1991-2017; the Nuckolls County 4-H Council, serving as president for one year; and was the Richmond Township Clerk.

Jessica received many accolades such as the KOLN/KGIN Golden Apple Award, 1997; inclusion in the 5th and 7th editions of "Who's Who Among America's Teachers", 1998 and 2002; and the Milton M. Beckmann Lifetime Achievement Award from the Nebraska Association of Teachers of Mathematics, 2017.

In her free time, Jessica enjoyed both outdoor and indoor hobbies. Like her paternal grandparents before her, she loved spending time with horses. She and her daughters participated in shows, and she additionally spent much time at auctions, conferences, and learning seminars. Gardening was another fond pastime of hers--irises, roses, Mexican sunflowers, and marigolds were some of her favorite flowers. She cherished the hours she spent sewing and knitting, just like her maternal grandmother. What she loved most of all, though, was spending time with friends and family, and she especially looked forward to the moments with her husband, children, and granddaughter.

Jessica was preceded in death by her infant sister, Celia May McDole; beloved cousin, Tony Wehnes; stepfathers, Rolland "Pete" Mesloh and Lale Oellerich; father, Jerry McDole; father-in-law, Kenneth Thompson; and all of her grandparents.

She is survived by her husband, Darren Thompson of Guide Rock; daughters, Anya Waters and husband Matthew of Manhattan, KS; Allison Thompson of Salina, KS; and Amanda Toepfer and husband Jeffrey of Blue Hill, NE;  son, Aaron Thompson of Guide Rock; granddaughter, Hallie Thompson of Blue Hill; mother, Ruth Oellerich of Davenport, NE; mother-in-law, Evelyn Thompson of Guide Rock; stepmother, Estela Chan of Red Cloud; sisters, Georgia Fear of Sutherland, NE; and Eileen Jahn and husband Mick of Kearney, NE; brothers, J.J. McDole and wife Dianne of Terre Haute, IN; and Joe McDole and wife Amy of Red Cloud, NE; sister-in-law, Michelle Widger and husband Sam of Kearney, NE; nieces, nephews and a host

of other relatives and friends.

Jessica will be remembered for her passion for education, her kindness toward others, her love of the Lord, and her compelling singing voice. She was an unparalleled wife, mother, grannie, and teacher.

Funeral services were held on Monday, September 11, 2017 at 2:00 pm from the Guide Rock School Gymnasium in Guide Rock, Nebraska with Pastor Warren Schoming and David Watters officiating.

Prelude music by Eileen and Emma Jahn was "Here I Am Lord" . Melissa Westbrook sang "His Eye Is On The Sparrow" and "Untitled Hymn" with Megan Widger as accompianist for al. "It Is Well With My Soul" was sung by the congregation and a recording of " Supermarket Flowers" was played.

Visitation was held on September 10, 2017 from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm at Megrue-Price Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were Bob Cook, Charles Isom, Kevin Miller, Doug Hoins, Seth Going, Brandon Siegel and Ron Hershberger. Honorary Pallbearers were Jacki Porter, Melissa Schuster, Dayna Miller, Lisa Jameson, Anne-Marie Ohmstede and Syndee Wulf.

Interment was in the Guide Rock Cemetery at Guide Rock, Nebraska.

Memorials are suggested to go to the Brodstone Memorial Hospital or Superior Public Schools.

Condolences may be sent to Megrue-Price Funeral Home, 750 N Commercial, Superior, Nebraska 68978 or in care of www.pricefuneralhomes.com.

Megrue-Price Funeral Home of Superior, Nebraska was in care of the arrangements.