Kenneth J. Thompson, a resident of Grinnell for 50 years and the proprietor of the former Kwik Shop, passed away peacefully in the company of family members on Friday, February 18, after a brief hospitalization at Grinnell Regional Medical Center and St. Francis Manor. He was 91. He died on the eve of the 70th anniversary of his marriage to Kathryn E. Ivanov, who predeceased him in 2011. Thompson was born in 1930 in Aberdeen, South Dakota, the son of Eva (Sanders) and John W. Thompson. He enjoyed a decades long career managing grocery and convenience stores in South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa. Kenneth was an active parishioner at St. Mary Roman Catholic Church, Grinnell. He is survived by five children: Karen Schmidt of Grinnell; Timothy Thompson of Johnston; Patricia Gosselink of Grinnell; Barbara McCulley of Grinnell; and Mary Thompson of Del Mar, California; as well as sons-in-law, John McCulley of Grinnell and Joseph Azzinaro of Del Mar, CA; and daughter-in-law, Diane Thompson of Johnston. He also leaves 10 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. Kenneth's extended family resides across the country, from New Jersey to California, and from Louisiana to Minnesota. The family plans a memorial service and a Celebration of Life in Grinnell this spring. At that time, his remains will be interred at the family gravesite at Hazelwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be designated to St. Mary Catholic Church and mailed in c/o Smith Funeral Home, P.O. Box 368, Grinnell, Iowa 50112.