Lida Belle (Cowen) Thompson-Norris, 97 of 18-B Rd., Argos, died at 5:40 a.m. March 21, 2016, at her residence following a brief illness.

Lida was born on Sept. 3, 1918 in Rutland, to Frank O. Cowen and Hallie Belle (Lowry) Cowen. Lida lived most of her life in the Argos Community.

On Nov. 22, 1945 she married Carroll L. Thompson; he preceded her on April 24, 1974. She then married David F. Norris on April 11, 1986; he preceded her on June 19, 2011.

Lida was a housewife/homemaker and Carroll and Lida owned TNT Farms and were dairy farmers in Green Township for 25 years. Lida was a lifelong member of the Poplar Grove United Methodist Church, Culver. She was a graduate of Culver High School with the class of 1936. Lida served her country in the United States Army Air Corp during WWII from Aug. 15, 1943 in the WAAC-Women’s Army Air Corp as a Flight Statistical Control Secretary in the Second Air Division-Eight Air Force/Army Air Corp stationed at Ketteringham Air Station in England. She earned the rank of Staff Sergeant and on Oct. 20, 1945 was Honorably Discharged. She had been active in Marshall County Extension Homemakers Club, and served as President; Operation Quiet Comfort Volunteer; and had been very active as a 4-H volunteer. She was involved with MIMSA-Women In Military Service for America Memorial Foundation

Lida is survived by her daughters: Bonnie S. Lohmann of Nevada City, Calif.; Loralie Coffin of Indianapolis; and Maurine B. Wrede and husband Don of Rapid City, S.D.; son: Don D. Thompson and wife Jill of Argos; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild

She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, son: Jay O. Thompson on Sept. 7, 1972; brother: Eldon Cowen; six sisters: Edith Staley; Florence Baker; Irene Hissong; and Marjorie Johnson-Andersen; Betty Castleman; and Ruth Gordon.

Friends may visit with the family from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Saturday, March 26  at the Poplar Grove United Methodist Church, West State Road 10, Culver, IN.  Funeral Services will follow at 1 p.m. Saturday March 26, at the church with Rev. Henry V. Sprunger of the Poplar Grove United Methodist Chuch. Burial  will follow the service at Maxinkuckee I.O.O.F. Cemetery at Poplar Grove, Culver.

Memorial Contribution may be made to: Poplar Grove United Methodist Church, West State Road 10, Culver, IN;
Jay O. Thompson Memorial Scholarship, C/O Marshall County Community Foundation, 2701 N. Michigan St., Plymouth, IN 46563; or WIMSA- Women In Military Service for America Memorial Foundation, Dept. 560, Washington, DC 20042-0560

Arrangements were conducted by Earl-Grossman Funeral Homes