H. Wayne Thomsen, 78, of Gothenburg died Feb. 21, 1999, at his home in Gothenburg following a long struggle with cancer.

He was born Feb. 10, 1921, near Ingham to Herman S. and Mabel Grace Christensen Thomsen. He attended Ingham School, Wesleyan College and the University of Nebraska Agricultural College in Lincoln. He was a member of the Gamma Phi Chapter of the Theta Chi Fraternity.

Mr. Thomsen was a farmer and rancher. He lived on the family farm until retiring and moving into Gothenburg in 1983.

On Jan. 20, 1973, he married Loree Kolb Agent.

An avid sports fan, he played on the Farnam town baseball team in the 1940s and was considered an outstanding player. For years, he was the spotter for the Farnam High School football team. He attended the University of Nebraska home football games until this last year. He was a faithful follower of the local area football and basketball teams.

He was instrumental in starting the Farnam Rural Fire District and was on the board for 24 years. He was a member of the United Methodist Church for more than 50 years and a Lions Club Member for more than 40 years. He was a member of Farnam/Eustis Marriage Encounter and also a member of the *Journey of Hope* cancer support group.

After retirement, he enjoyed part-time employment with Bellamy Fertilizer and DeKalb and hauling corn for area farmers. He also worked in collecting the 1990 census.

Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Carol (Deloit) Cross of Moorefield and Shelly (Mark) Bierma of Omaha; a son, Earl J. Agent of Topeka, Kan.; a brother, Vernon (Ethel) Thomsen of Sutherland; four grandchildren, Jennifer, Wesley, John and Henry Cross; and many nieces and nephews and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Evelyn Dow, and a niece and nephew.

Memorials are suggested to the Gothenburg Memorial Hospital Hospice, United Methodist Church pipe organ fund or to the donor's choice.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the United Methodist Church with the Rev. David Fowler officiating. Burial will be in the Gothenburg Cemetery.

The North Platte Telegraph, February 23, 1999.