Jane Arlene Thompson (nee Broughton, formerly Brinkman) died peacefully on April 29, 2024, in her “happy place” of Fort Myers, Florida, surrounded by family and friends.
Jane was born in West Union, Iowa to Arlene (Boess) and Walter Broughton. Her family moved to Dubuque, and she graduated from Dubuque Senior High School in 1965. She then spent two years at Wartburg College before adventuring out to Colorado to get a certificate in cytotechnology.
She described her job to others as, “I worked in the lab in a hospital.” It was a career that she loved for 40 years. She eventually made her way to St. Paul, Minnesota, where she worked, married Joe Brinkman, and raised their children until their divorce.
She proudly received her Bachelor of Arts in 1995 from Metro State University.
In 1998, she married William Thompson and moved to a new adventure on the farm in Arlington, Iowa. She continued to work at Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids.
In retirement, she spent her winters in Fort Myers and summers in Iowa. It was the perfect balance. She spent her time traveling, gardening, reading, spending time with friends, golfing, and just being in the sun, at the beach, and the pool. She was a treasured volunteer on the library board in Arlington. She loved her husband, kids, step-kids, grandchildren and friends fiercely and was quick with advice and tough love.
She is survived by her loving husband William (Bill) Thompson; her children Jonz (Karina) Norine, Kimberly (Scott) Bacon, and Cynthia Brinkman; her stepchildren Merinda (Chad) Struthers, Lydia Thompson, Elizabeth McIntyre, and Emily (Mike) Southall; her brother Robert Broughton (Phyllis Frommelt); and 13 adoring grandchildren, all of whom were a source of joy and pride for her.
All obituary information has been taken from the funeral home, newspaper or other online resource.
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