Kerri-Lynn D. Larimer

Kerri-Lynn Dawn Larimer (Thompson), 44 years, formerly of Winnipeg, Manitoba passed away Saturday, October 13, 2018 at her home in Thompson, North Dakota. “Crazy Not To” is the mantra that Kerri-Lynn would want us to remember her by and sums up the enthusiasm and passion which defined her approach to life.

Kerri-Lynn Thompson was born on January 13, 1974 in Winnipeg, Manitoba to Kerry and Linda (Anderson) Thompson.  She resided in Transcona and graduated from Murdoch MacKay Collegiate in 1992.  Growing up, Kerri-Lynn was a popular student and excelled in athletics including softball, volleyball and basketball.   She was a gifted center fielder and hitter and enjoyed playing elite A softball with Obsession.  Kerri-Lynn competed many times at the Canadian National Softball Championships earning bronze, silver and gold medals in 1992, 1993, and 1994 and in 1993, captured the “All Canadian Outfielder” award at Nationals.  In 1990, Kerri-Lynn played with Team Manitoba at the Western Canada Summer Games.  Kerri-Lynn earned a softball scholarship to Bemidji State University where she became a proud member of the Beavers.  While earning her Bachelor of Social Work degree in college she met Dean Larimer, and they were wed in Bemidji, Minnesota on April 19, 1997.  Kerri-Lynn furthered her education receiving a Master of Social Work degree from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, North Dakota in 2013.  A gifted mental health professional with an innate ability to connect with clients, Kerri-Lynn was employed at Northwestern Mental Health Center in Crookston, Minnesota for the past 21 years.

Moving to Thompson, North Dakota in 2002, Kerri-Lynn and Dean raised two sons, Malek and Trey.  Both boys inherited Kerri-Lynn’s gift of athleticism and over the years Kerri-Lynn spent countless hours cheering her boys on from wrestling mats, football fields, and baseball diamonds.  As a huge Thompson Tommie fan, Kerri-Lynn was awarded the rare gift of watching Malek and Trey play together and win the North Dakota Class B Championship baseball title in 2016 and Trey on the football team that won the Class B championship in 2016.  She was a dedicated and loyal Tommie fan who never missed a game until recently when her illness limited her involvement.

Kerri-Lynn embraced Thompson the community, and the community of Thompson embraced her.  Coaching volleyball and softball for Thompson Public School, Kerri-Lynn shared her love of the game and served as a mentor and role model for many youth in the community.  Kerri-Lynn loved the kids in the community almost as much as she loved her own.  An avid Minnesota Vikings fan, Kerri-Lynn optimistically enjoyed trips to Vikings training camp with her family and friends. 

She is survived by her husband, Dean, sons Malek and Trey, parents Kerry and Linda Thompson, her brother Kyle, nephew Solace, as well as aunts, uncles, cousins, and many, many, friends.

Kerri-Lynn’s funeral service will be held Saturday, November 10, 2018 at 2:00 pm at Thompson Public School in the school gymnasium, 424 3rd Street, in Thompson, North Dakota.  Officiated by Pastor Amy Eisenmann.  The family will receive friends from 3:00 - 7:00 pm at the Thompson Community Center, 306 Pacific Avenue, immediately following the service.  Kerri-Lynn grew up with a fondness and deep rooted family connections to Piney, Manitoba and so internment will take place at the Badger Cemetery (RM of Piney) at a later date. 

At this time, we would like to thank our family, friends and the greater Thompson community for their outpouring of caring and compassion shown towards Kerri-Lynn and our family during her illness.  Special thanks to all of those who contributed to the remodel of our home and all who made Kerri-Lynn’s last days there extra special.  Kerry-Lynn is, and always will be considered, “the coolest person in Thompson” and we will never forget her.  
 

We love you, Kerri-Lynn.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Melanoma Research Fund or her children’s college fund set up at 1^st State Bank in Thompson, ND.