Obituary of Darlene Rae (Thompson) Homann

Darlene Rae (Thompson) Homann passed away December 18, 2023, at the age of 86, surrounded by family.   Darlene had lived her entire life in the Lacey-Olympia area of Washington.

 

Darlene was born December 15, 1937, at her grandmother’s home on Olympia’s Westside.  She joined her parents, Alvin and Evelyn Thompson and her one-year-old sister, Sharon.   The little Thompson family would eventually expand to include five girls and three boys.   In 1947, the family moved from their small house on Milroy Street to their newly constructed home in a beautiful, wooded area off Old Highway 99 (currently known as Martin Way).    Darlene would shine in her role as big sister to her younger siblings.   She was also a great comfort to her Mom, helping to care for the busy household while her Dad and her brothers were building the community known as Thompson Place.  Darlene attended the Old Lacey School, where she made many life-long friends.  She also met her future husband, Jack, in the 4^th grade at Lacey!   Always friendly and popular, Darlene was well known both at school, where she was on Yell Staff and in the new neighborhood, where she had become a sought-after babysitter.   Friends from everywhere were always welcome at the Thompson’s home.  Many years later, those same friends would gather to laugh and share stories of those happy times.

 

Darlene loved her high school years at Olympia High School.   She was the proud Editor of the Olympia High 1956 annual.   That year she was also selected as “Miss Lacey” in a local pageant.  She and Jack began dating and continued throughout their high school years.  Following graduation, Darlene attended the College of Puget Sound (now U.P.S.) where she was on the Cheer Staff.  Jack says he would nearly wear out his beautiful 1955 Pontiac, driving back and forth to visit her. 

 

Darlene and Jack were married on July 11, 1958.  Last July, they were able to celebrate their 65^th anniversary together.  After their honeymoon, they settled into their first home near the Homann ranch in Lacey.  There they welcomed their son, Tracy, and daughter, Darcy.   The Homanns would soon build a larger home in the new community of Tanglewilde.  Soon after, their daughter, Alanna, would join the family.   Darlene loved living in the Tanglewilde neighborhood.  She was thrilled to raise their three children where they could be near their grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.  The family had many neighborhood friends and enjoyed the community park, the swimming pool, and the nearby school.  Darlene was a cherished member of her large extended family.   She was always among the first to celebrate birthdays, weddings, baby showers, and every other happy occasion.   Her thoughtfulness and her generosity were appreciated by all who knew her.   Many family members and friends were the beneficiaries of Darlene’s open home, her kindness, and her caring heart. 

 

Eventually, the Homann family moved from Tanglewilde to Jack’s childhood home in Lacey.   This house was wonderful for the kids and their friends since it had a recreation room in an enclosed patio that included a pool table and a juke box. It was a gathering place where happy memories were made.  Later, Darlene and Jack were able to build their beautiful dream home on Coachman Lane in Olympia.   There they would spend their evenings enjoying spectacular sunsets from their porch.   Darlene loved tending her flowers and over-feeding the birds and her chubby racoons. 

 

Darlene also loved to travel and to see new places.  Happily, she was able to drive her beloved parents on many road trip adventures.   Their favorite trip was to Jackson, Wyoming, to visit her brother, Tom, his wife, Kris, and family.

 

Darlene was a very special person and will be forever missed here on this earth by those who knew her and loved her.  She fought a very brave battle against her illness.  She will always be remembered for her warm, loving heart, her love of family, friends, beautiful flowers, country music and her kindness.  

 

The family would like to give a special thank you to all the kind, caring nurses and staff at The Hampton and from Hospice.  They are special people and were such a blessing to Darlene and her loved ones. 

 

Darlene was preceded in death by their infant son, Tommy Joseph Homann, who died at birth; and by her parents, Alvin and Evelyn Thompson.  

 

Darlene is survived by her husband, Jack Homann of Tumwater; son, Tracy (wife Cindy) Homann of Tenino, Washington; daughter, Darcy Homann of Napavine, Washington; and daughter, Alanna Dover of Tenino.  

 

Surviving grandchildren and great grandchildren include:

- Tracy and Cindy’s daughter, Amanda Ridley (Shaun) with their sons, Zayden and Camden; son, Jake Homann (Alisha) with their sons, Cash and Colton, and daughter, Emma Homann.  

- Darcy’s son, Colby Shaffer (Carissa) with their sons, Cale and Lane; daughter, Justine Salter (Clinton) with their daughter, Natalie and son, Lucas.  

- Alanna’s son, Shane Dover (Heather) and son Chase Dover (Erin).

Darlene is also survived by her sisters, Sharon Thompson of Gilbert, Arizona, Sandra Helton (Terry) of Lacey, Kathy Thompson of Lacey, and Tamara Thompson of Lacey; her brothers, Rolland Thompson (LaDeen) of Olympia, Dennis Thompson (Pam) of Olympia, and Tom Thompson (Kris) of Jackson, Wyoming.

 

A private family graveside service will be held January 20, 2024.   The family welcomes family and friends to attend a Celebration of Life for Darlene at 12:00 noon on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at The Lacey Community Center, 6729 Pacific Ave. SE, Lacey, WA 98503.

 

Let not your heart be troubled:

ye believe in God, believe also in me.

In my Father's house are many mansions:

if it were not so, I would have told you.

I go to prepare a place for you.

And if I go and prepare a place for you,

I will come again, and receive you unto myself,

that where I am, there ye may be also.

 

~John 14:1-3

 

 

Beyond the Sunset

Beyond the sunset—Oh blissful morning

When with our Saviour, Heaven is begun.

Earth's toiling ended, Oh glorious dawning!

 Beyond the sunset—When day is done.

 

Beyond the sunset—Oh glad reunion

With our dear loved ones, who have gone before.

In that fair homeland, we’ll know no parting.

Beyond the Sunset—forever more.

 

 

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