Arlin L. Thompson, age 78 of Washburn, ND, died peacefully on March 7, 2013 surrounded by family at St. Alexius Medical Center after a courageous two-year battle with myelodysplastic syndrome. After a heart attack in 1995, he was gifted with an additional eighteen years with his family.

Funeral Services will be held 11:00 A.M. Monday, March 11th at First Lutheran Church in Washburn with Pastor Erik Johnson officiating. Interment will follow in the Riverview Cemetery, Washburn, with military rites provided by the Victor B. Wallin American Legion Post 12. Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM Sunday at First Lutheran Church followed by a 7:00 PM service of remembrance.

Arlin was born May 7, 1934 in Finley, ND, the first of eight children born to Arthur and Lillian (Moe) Thompson. From a young age, Arlin often worked several jobs to help support the family. The Thompsons moved to Garrison ND when Arlin was 16. He graduated from Garrison High School and Minot State College. He served two years in the US Army, stationed in Germany. After a long year in California, he was only too happy to return to his hometown of Garrison as the city's police officer. He was elected McLean County Sheriff in 1960 and ran a two-person department in the early years of the job, often working around-the-clock. He married Sylvia Swanson in 1965. The couple and their children experienced their own version of "Mayberry", living and working in the 100-year old jail in Washburn. Their daily routine included answering emergency calls, cooking for the inmates, and using the family's kitchen as the office break room. Throughout his 38-year career, Arlin expanded the sheriff's department to meet the needs of the growing county, especially after the construction of the Falkirk Mine and Great River Energy Power Plant in the 1970s. Arlin was an advocate for strong law enforcement, regularly lobbying state legislators on issues important to the law enforcement community. He was an active member of the North Dakota Sheriff's Association and the North Dakota Peace Officers' Association (NDPOA), serving on their Boards and as President. In 1983, he was awarded the NDPOA's Lone Eagle Award for excellence in law enforcement. Arlin retired in 1999. His children aspire to the examples set by their father: leadership, hard work, responsibility, courage, compassion, fairness, thrift, generosity, selflessness, and good humor. His happiest days were spent with his family, especially his grandchildren, at the family's cabin on Lake Sakakawea. He enjoyed walleye fishing and long pontoon rides around the lake. He was a sports fan, cheering for the Twins, Vikings, and Washburn Cardinals. A life-long pinochle player, he was a fierce competitor and rarely lost a pinochle game. Arlin was proud of his military service and loved our country. He was a member of the Washburn American Legion and served as the unit's Commander for two years. He was a member of First Lutheran Church and the Bismarck Elks.

Grateful to have shared in his life are Sylvia Thompson, his wife of 47 years; three daughters and families, Susan Thompson of Fargo, ND, Sarah & Richard Hedeen and children Matthew, Michael, and Elizabeth of Sioux Falls, SD, and Sally & Jake Dufner of Otsego, MN; one son and family, Art & Nicole Thompson and children Alexis and Aiden of Bismarck; sisters, Lois (Chris) Olson of Williston, Judy (Duane) Bjornson of Anchorage, AK, Janice Gietzen of Minot, and Myrna Spoon of Everett WA; sisters-in-law, Clara Thompson and Audrey Thompson, both of Garrison; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers (Truman and Dennis Thompson), one sister (Myra Thompson), a brother-in-law (Darrell Gietzen), niece (Kaye Wheeler), and great-nephew (Trevor Ledin).

Memorials are preferred to Washburn Ambulance Service, Washburn Dollars for Scholars, First Lutheran Church of Washburn, or Lutheran World Relief.