Farmlife editor Bonnie Thompson, 58

Bonnie Thompson, who edited the Farmlife section of Grainews and the Country Crossroads section of the Manitoba Co-operator, died early Tuesday morning of complications from a long bout with cancer.

Thompson, 58, was born in southwestern Manitoba and came to the publishing division of Winnipeg-based United Grain Growers in July 1983 as an administrative assistant for its magazines including Country Guide and Canadian Cattlemen.

Retired Guide editor Dave Wreford remembered Thompson as “unfailingly helpful and pleasant” to fellow staff and readers and how she went out of her way to meet requests from customers and the public.

Thompson became co-editor of Farmlife in 1997 with Rae Kabernick, and the two became co-editors of Country Crossroads in 2002, when UGG merged with Agricore, owner of the Co-operator, as Agricore United (now part of Viterra). After Kabernick’s retirement Thompson continued as sole editor of both sections until she took medical leave last year.

“Editors who are gracious enough to print a woman’s thoughts in a special section geared to farm living are special people,” said author, columnist and farm family counselor Elaine Froese of Boissevain, Man. Thompson, she said, “had a humble attitude and made the other person feel her story really counted.”

Funeral arrangements are pending.