Lann E. Thompson

Lann Evan Thompson, 77, of Indianapolis, IN, passed away on Friday, November 8th, 2024, surrounded by his wife, Marsha, his youngest son, Matthew Thompson, his step-son, Andrew Burd, and other family members.

Lann was born to Millard E. “Tommy” and Bernice E. (Hecker) Thompson on March 10th, 1947, in Columbus, Nebraska. He was the eldest of the five Thompson children, followed by Clark, Julie, Todd, and Marti. Upon graduating from Columbus High School in 1965, Lann continued his education at Yankton College (B.A., Psychology/Sociology, Magna Cum Laude, ’70), the University of South Dakota (M.A., Ed Psychology/Counseling, ’73), the University of Wisconsin (M.S.S.W., ’75), and then returned to the University of South Dakota (Ed.D., ’83).

Lann took great pride in his Eastern Band Cherokee heritage, passed to him through his father. On the front end of his long career, he worked on the Sioux reservations of South Dakota where daily exposure to Native American culture and traditions built upon his familial connection, inspiring his dedication to Native American communities and influencing how he lived for the remainder of his life. From 1999 until his passing, he was a board member of the American Indian Center of Indiana, where his community granted him the ceremonial name “Tatanka Wamniyomni” (Whirlwind Buffalo). He presented at numerous conferences and workshops on Native culture and teachings.

Lann was passionate about education and about his affiliation with the National Association of Social Workers. For 35 years he was a clinical and associate faculty member of the Indiana University Schools of Medicine and Social Work. He developed and taught a graduate course on death and dying, and over the years was an inspiring mentor, clinical field instructor and teacher for hundreds of students and trainees. He was also a clinician at the Riley Child Development Center, serving children with disabilities and their families. In 2013, Lann retired as the Associate Director of the Riley Child Development Center at Riley Hospital for Children on the campus of Indiana University Medical Center in Indianapolis. He continued teaching at the IU School of Social Work for several more semesters before entering full retirement.

Lann published several articles on subjects ranging from the ethics of caring for medically fragile infants and children to the integration of primary health and social work in educational settings. In the course of his distinguished career, Lann received numerous honors and awards, including the 1992 NASW Distinguished Service Award; the 1992 Indiana Region 7 Social Worker of the Year; the 1992 Indiana State Social Worker of the Year; the 2006 Outstanding Social Work Field Instructor, IUSSW; the 2006 IUPUI Quarter Century Club Inductee Service Award; and the 2021 NASW Foundation Social Work Pioneer Award.

Lann was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Marsha; his brother Todd (wife Beverly, daughters Sansa Hauger [husband Kevin], Misha Roth [husband James, daughters Tenley and Tamzin] and Tasha Doughten [husband Aaron]) of Yankton, SD; his brother Clark (wife Betty, children Ben Thompson [wife Terri], and Emily Sanders [husband Jason, sons Graham, Waylon, and Maverick]) of Kansas City, KS; Marti’s daughters, Chloe and Brooke Boeshen of Olathe, KS; his son Christopher (daughters Madeline and Sylvia) of Minneapolis, MN; his son, Matthew (wife Keri, children Hannah, Henry, and Harper) of Oak Park, IL; and his stepson, Andrew Burd (daughters Alice and Violet) of Nashville, TN.

Lann will be remembered by his friends and family as a lover of books and music, a man of unique humor, and a consummate storyteller. He was at the heart of many Thompson family gatherings, cherishing the people he loved and celebrating them at weddings, graduations, and reunions. He and Marsha enjoyed many years of travelling the country by motorcycle, and in recent years, camping with their granddaughters Alice and Violet in their RV affectionately named “Lucille.” In his retirement, Lann enjoyed being outside where he could watch the birds that he kept well-fed and smoke his pipe or a good cigar while the family husky, Tula Mae, romped close by. 

A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, December 7, 2024, in Robertson Chapel, St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 100 W 86th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46260. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Arbor Day Foundation at arborday.org/donate.