Barbara J. Thompson with her family by her side passed away at her Bruce Crossing home on September 4, 2007 after a brief battle with cancer.

Barb was born Barbara Joy Johnson on April 15, 1937 in Calumet, the eldest daughter of Ralph and Aleda (Juntunen) Johnson. The Johnson family later relocated to Bruce Crossing. On June 19, 1954, she married Elmer (Sonny) Thompson and made their home in Trout Creek. In addition to raising four children, she managed the family farm, Sonny's logging and mechanic businesses, and worked at A&A Hardware. In 1984, they moved to Sarasota, FL to escape the U.P. winters only to return ten years later to be closer to their U.P. friends and family settling this time in Bruce Crossing.

Barb enjoyed horseback riding, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, gardening, bird watching, sketching, and painting. She also enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.

Barb was preceded in death by her husband Elmer (Sonny), grandson Cory Thompson, parents Ralph and Aleda Johnson, brothers Henry, Lewis, Frank "Loney", Raymond "Fatto", Donald, Charles and sister Grace. She is survived by her daughter Debra (James) Moore of Sarasota, FL, sons James (Pam) of Negaunee, MI, Tod (Pam) of Bruce Crossing, MI, Terry (Henry) of Bellefonte, DE, grandchildren Jared (Becky) Thompson of Paynesville, MI, Jimmy Moore of Sarasota, FL, Nicholas Thompson of Negaunee, MI, and Ashley Moore of Sarasota, FL, sisters Suzy (Keith) Sackett of Keweenaw Bay, MI, Pat Long, Mojave, AZ, brothers Burt (Betty) of Bruce Crossing, Willie (Louella) of Houghton, MI, Howard (Kathy) of Hancock, MI, John (Hazel) of Houghton, MI, Michael "Duckie" (Joyce) of Everett, WA, Jerry (Micki) of Seattle, WA, sister-in-law Jean Johnson of Bruce Crossing and many nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to pay their respects Saturday Sept. 8th from 12-1 pm at the Apostolic Lutheran Church in Paynesville. A Funeral Service officiated by Reverend Paul Isaacson will be held at the church at 1 pm followed by burial at the Hillside Cemetery in Bruce Crossing Cemetery. A lunch will be served by the Ladies of the Apostolic Lutheran Church following the service. Dennis Brown of Cane Funeral Home is assisting the family. Friends may view Barbara's obituary and leave condolences at canefuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Ontonagon County Cancer Association, 320 Pennsylvania Ave, Ontonagon, MI 49953 or Hope Lodge, 611 West Doege St, Marshfield, WI 54449.