Merle L Thompson, 90, died peacefully of natural causes on Tuesday, May 15, 2012, at her Thorp home surrounded by her family and friends. She was born on April 29, 1922 to Edward F. and Anna W. (Larson) Lee in Highmore, South Dakota, where she grew up. She married Russell Thompson in Ellensburg on June 18, 1949. In 1950 they moved to the Thorp area where she and Russ operated Thompson Evergreens providing quality trees; many of these evergreen trees are still standing majestically around the valley. They also had a small herd of cattle. Merle especially enjoyed sewing, quilting and gardening and she was an avid reader of books. She is survived by son, Russell L. Thompson (Dorothy) of Entiat; daughters, Sharon Harris of Kennewick, Marla Berry (Tom) of Chicago and Paula Thompson of Thorp, seven grandchildren, Roxy Cate (Rick Mulvihill) of Washougal, Ron Cate (Tracy) of Okanogan, Becky Cate (Francoise Sweeney) of Wenatchee, John Harris (Meredith) of Simco, Ontario, Corrie Sue Harris of Kennewick, Jamie (Holly) of Kennewick, Tim Berry of Chicago, seven great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and other loved ones. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband; five brothers, Theodore, Norman, Kenneth, Carl, Herbert and Maynard Lee; and four sisters, Elsie Lee, Mildred Williams, Julia Meyer and Phyllis Cid.Services will be Saturday, May 19 2012, 1:00 PM at the Thorp Community Church, 150 1st Street, Thorp, with Roger McCune officiating. Internment will follow at the Thorp Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the c/o Brookside Funeral Home and Crematory, 101 E. 2nd Ave., Ellensburg, WA 98926 or a charity of donor's choice.