Mike Tompkins, 62, passed away peacefully with life partner, Lois, by his side on September 23rd in Sanford Hospital, Bismarck. After suffering cardiac arrest and acquiring serious medical complications on September 17th, Lois, Mike’s siblings and their spouses spent countless hours and priceless moments at his bedside.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Pingree Lutheran Church on October 11th at 11:00 with lunch to follow at the Pingree Edmunds Community Hall. Mike will be laid to rest with the ashes of his dog, Gallop, and cat, Clark, alongside his parents at the Pingree Cemetery.

Michael Raye Tompkins was born February 26,1963, twenty-one minutes before his twin brother, Mitchell. He was raised on the family farm near Pingree with his loving father and mother, Gilford and Donna (Stoehr) Tompkins, older siblings, Steve, Patti, Todd and twin brother, Mitch.

Mike was baptized and confirmed in Pingree Lutheran Church. He excelled in basketball and track and was a 1981 graduate of Pingree High School. Mike enjoyed hunting, golfing, trips with friends and family and racing RC cars. In 1984, after his dad’s passing, Mike joined the Pingree Elevator’s bowling team to fill his dad’s spot. He farmed for a few years with his family, had a trucking business, and enjoyed buying and selling farm toys and unique and vintage items at flea markets and toy shows. Mike served on Plainview Township for Stutsman County and the Pingree Cemetery board. He took great pride in the mowing and upkeep of the Pingree Cemetery for eighteen years, mowing for the last time this July, and he organized the annual Memorial Day service in Pingree for many years.

Mike was a gentle giant, and had a soft spot for animals, his pets, kids and even some adults. His pets gave him much joy; he will be greeted with the wagging tails of Joey, Jake, Sonny and Gallop and many special cats, too many to name. When kids stopped by his tables at the flea markets or farm toy shows, he would often give them the Hot Wheel they were eyeing or give them a good deal when adding to their collection of farm toys. Mike had a prized collection of farm toys and treasured refurbished Tonkas. He had a special bond with his flea market and farm toy families.

Mike was blessed and lucky to have Lois Guthmiller in his life after meeting during potato harvest. They shared sixteen plus years together, enjoying trips to Sturgis, Black Hills, California, Florida, Wyoming to view a solar eclipse or leisurely exploring the back roads to see what they could discover. When they were not together, he received a call from Lois each morning and evening. She was his “Sweetie”. In the last few years, they enjoyed a quiet life together; staying home with their cats and watching “Gunsmoke” was perfect. Mike was the cook, often cooking his favorite family meals and desserts that he grew up with. He also enjoyed cooking for Lois’s sisters; they adored him.

Mike will forever be remembered and missed by his loving partner, Lois Guthmiller, and her family, brothers; Steve (Deb) Tompkins, Todd Tompkins (Kelly Smith), Mitch (Bobbi) Tompkins, sister, Patti (Bill) Lawson, twelve nieces and nephews, their spouses, significant others and children, aunts and uncles; Tressa Tompkins, Edwin (Kathy) Tompkins, Loyal Tompkins, and his very special Aunt Carol Weber (his mom’s sister), many Tompkins and Stoehr cousins and their two cats, Lewis and Tux.

Mike will be healthy again and greeted in Heaven by his parents, Gilford and Donna Tompkins, grandparents, Raye and Tenora (Knutson) Tompkins, Lawrence and Hannah (Westby) Stoehr, and Lois’s and his family members, friends and pets who have gone before him.

Lois and Mike’s family wish to thank all who reached out and prayed for Mike during his week in the hospital. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Pingree Cemetery, Pingree Lutheran Church or James River Humane Society, Jamestown, in Mike’s memory.

Eddy Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.