Cedar Rapids Music Teacher Grace A. Thompson Dies at 95

Thompson taught private lessons and performed with local music groups for decades before moving to Minnesota in 2024.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Grace A. Thompson, a longtime music teacher and performer in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away on February 9, 2026 at the age of 95 at Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Battle Lake, Minnesota. Thompson taught private lessons in piano, voice, trumpet, and organ to hundreds of students in Cedar Rapids from the 1950s until her mid-80s, and also sang solo with the Cedar Rapids Symphony and Civic Chorus. She was a longtime member of the Beethoven Club, even serving as president.

Why it matters

Thompson's passing marks the end of an era for Cedar Rapids' vibrant music community, as she was a fixture for decades, teaching and performing with local groups. Her students, including a notable bugler at Churchill Downs, carry on her musical legacy.

The details

Grace A. Thompson was born on December 26, 1930 in Ortonville, Minnesota. She graduated high school in Pipestone, Minnesota, received a Bachelor of Science in music from Westmar College in Iowa, and taught K-12 music in Dysart and Benton Community Schools in the 1950s. She married Robert Thompson in 1953 and the couple moved to Cedar Rapids in 1963, where she taught private lessons in her home until moving to Minnesota in 2024 to be closer to family.

  • Grace A. Thompson was born on December 26, 1930.
  • She graduated high school in Pipestone, Minnesota.
  • She received a Bachelor of Science in music from Westmar College in Iowa in 1952.
  • She taught K-12 music in Dysart and Benton Community Schools in the 1950s.
  • She married Robert Thompson in 1953 and the couple moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1963.
  • She taught private music lessons in her Cedar Rapids home until moving to Minnesota in 2024.
  • Grace A. Thompson passed away on February 9, 2026 at the age of 95.

The players

Grace A. Thompson

A longtime music teacher and performer in Cedar Rapids, Iowa who taught private lessons in piano, voice, trumpet, and organ to hundreds of students from the 1950s until her mid-80s. She also sang solo with the Cedar Rapids Symphony and Civic Chorus and was a longtime member of the Beethoven Club, even serving as president.

Robert Thompson

Grace A. Thompson's husband of 70 years, with whom she moved to Cedar Rapids in 1963.

Steve Buttleman

One of Grace A. Thompson's trumpet students who went on to become the Bugler at Churchill Downs in Kentucky.

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The takeaway

Grace A. Thompson's passing marks the end of an era for Cedar Rapids' vibrant music community, as she was a dedicated teacher and performer who shared her passion for music with hundreds of students and music lovers over the course of her long career.