Edith Thompson was born November 5, 1885, to Will and Eugenia (Harris) Freeman. In 1904 she graduated from River Falls Wisconsin Teachers’ College. On June 24, 1908, she married Theodore Thompson at Maxbass, North Dakota. A year later their first and only daughter, Dorothea, was born.

Best touted as an early Grand Forks resident, her contributions to the community reach into the city’s developing years. Soon after graduating from college, Thompson began teaching at Thorpe, Wisconsin (1904-05) and later in Grand Forks, North Dakota (1905-07). In May of 1927 she became Grand Forks Herald society editor. During her 36 years at the paper (1927-1963), she was honored as the “Woman of Achievement” in North Dakota journalism by the North Dakota Press Woman in 1961. The North Dakota Council of Administrative Women also recognized Thompson for outstanding contributions to Education.

Thompson was YWCA director for 14 years and co-chair of the Y building committee. She was secretary-treasurer of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Grand Forks. She also served in several offices of the local chapter of Business and Professional Women.

Edith Thompson died October 22, 1981, and is buried in Buxton, North Dakota.