Larry, left, and Linda Thompson, will be serving as grand marshals for the Nappanee Apple Festival, Sep, 15-18. Photo provided by Brea Persing.
News Release
NAPPANEE — The Nappanee Apple Festival is pleased to award the grand marshal position to Larry and Linda Thompson.
Larry and Linda Thompson, high school sweethearts and graduates of Northwood High School, have been true leaders and beacons of light in the Nappanee/Wakarusa community. Both grew up in our community — Larry in Wakarusa and Linda in Nappanee. Married in 1971, Larry and Linda have two children, Tara and Patrick; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. When not working and spending time with their grandchildren and great-grandchild, they enjoy volunteering in the community. Larry golfs, and Linda loves gardening, crafting and cooking/baking for family and friends.
Having moved to Nappanee in 1971 after Larry graduated from the Indiana College of Mortuary Science, Larry and Linda stayed local until moving to Delphi in 1976 where they owned Thompson Funeral Home until returning to this community in 1983. Upon returning, they joined forces with Carl and Wavy Yoder, and in 1984, became owners of what is now called Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home. They had been the sole owners since 1984, until this year, when their son and daughter-in-law, Patrick and Jen, joined in that ownership to continue the legacy.
Larry and Linda have done so much for this community and have a long-standing relationship with the Nappanee Apple Festival. Larry was mayor of Nappanee from 1996-2016 where he shared with others how special this community is, secured new industrial space for future growth and helped traverse the difficulties brought by the devastating tornado that hit Nappanee in 2007. Beyond being mayor, Larry is a past president and current member of the Nappanee Noon Kiwanis, former park board member, former WaNee School board president and member and former member of the Nappanee Fire Department where he served for ten years. Linda is a past president and current honorary active member of Psi Iota Xi Sorority — Eta Zeta chapter of Nappanee where she volunteers countless hours each year raising money for the community. She also volunteers at the Elder Haus, Nappanee Apple Festival and Home and Garden Club.