Esther R. 'Mona' Thompson, 67

Esther R. "Mona" Thompson, 67, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008, in Sandpoint, Idaho.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 23, at the Lakeview Funeral Home with Pastor Jim Osman of the Kootenai Community Church officiating. A reception will follow at the Lakeview Funeral Home reception area. Burial will be at Coeur d'Alene Memorial Gardens.

Mona was born on Jan. 20, 1941, in Madera, Calif., to Henry and Lois Volking. Mona's father was a traveling preacher, so the family moved throughout the United States, while she was growing up.

In 1969, while a member of the Del Rosa Gospel Choir in San Bernardi-no, Mona helped record an album. In 1974 she became a cosmetologist. Her love of her profession lead to a teaching position at Riverside Community College after graduating from UCLA.

Mona married Billy Thompson on Oct. 19, 1980, in Lake Tahoe.

After more than 30 years of living in California, Mona moved to Sandpoint in 1997 to be closer to her family.

Mona enjoyed being a part of the Sandpoint chorus Sweet Adelines. She enjoyed art, cooking, sewing, and singing.

Family was the most important thing to Mona. Her caring nature and loving presence was felt by all and transcended beyond the traditional definitions of family.

Mona is survived by her loving husband, Billy Thompson of Sandpoint; two sons, Daniel Brown of Syracuse, N.Y., and David (Penny) Brown    of Sandpoint; four granddaughters, Danielle, Darian, Sunny and Dariel; two brothers, Eldon (Dolly) Volking of Post Falls, Idaho, and David (Cybil) Volking of Glendale, Ariz.; and a sister, Mary Thomas of Burney, Calif.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Mona's online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign her online guest book.