Norene Murdock Thompson, 87, passed away peacefully at her home on August 2, 2026.

Norene was born on May 4, 1939, in Heber City, Utah, to John Bard and Lois Murdock. She spent her early years in Heber City and Ogden before moving to Cokeville, Wyoming, where she made her beloved home.

She married Stanley Gene Thompson on July 30, 1955, in Paris, Idaho. Together they raised four children on the family ranch, building a life centered on faith, family, and hard work. After Stan’s passing in 1974, Norene remained devoted to her family and her faith. In 1975, she and Stan were sealed for time and all eternity in the temple.

Norene was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings, with a special love for serving in the Primary. She had a love for music, taught herself to play the piano and organ, and shared that gift by teaching several grandchildren to play the organ for church services.

She loved her Cokeville community. She played softball and volleyball, umpired softball games, and enjoyed watching countless football games from her home across from the high school field. Her porch became a place where she cheered on generations of athletes. She was known for her kindness and hospitality, especially her homemade sour milk chocolate chip cookies, zucchini bread, brownies, and treats she prepared for the chain gang workers during football games.

Later in life, Norene shared her creativity through handcrafted canvas creations, including doll houses, dolls, bags, handkerchief box holders, temple recommend holders, and many other treasured items made with love. She was an accomplished seamstress and quilter.

Norene will be remembered as a happy, kind, hardworking, and faithful woman whose greatest joy came from her family. She is survived by two sisters, Joyce Compton and Judy Lloyd, one brother, David Murdock, her son, William T. (Ellen) Thompson; her daughter, Carole Ann (Greg) Goodman; 18 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and many extended family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Stanley Gene Thompson; her parents, John Bard and Lois Murdock; her sons, Stanley Gene Thompson Jr. and Don Mark Thompson; and her sister, Joanna Petersen.

Funeral services will be August 10 at 11:00 am in the Cokeville LDS Chapel. A viewing will be held on August 9 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm and on August 10 from 9:30 am to 10:45 am.

Norene’s favorite hymn was “I Need Thee Every Hour,” a fitting reflection of the faith and devotion that guided her life.