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James Joseph Thalken, age 60 of Ogallala, NE passed away Sunday, August 2, 2009 at the Ogallala Community Hospital.

Jim was born December 5, 1948 at North Platte, the son of Joe and Cathleen (Mueller) Thalken. Jim graduated from the Ogallala High School in 1967 and then attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.

In 1977 Jim married Marilyn Maffei. The couple had one son, Eric. On May 8, 1982 Jim married Peggy Cummings in Porcupine, South Dakota. They have one son, Michael.

After college Jim joined his father, Joe in the insurance and abstract business in 1972. In 1986 Jim and Peg formed the Thalken Title Company. Jim was an active member of the Nebraska Land Title Association and was awarded the Association’s highest honor, Title Person of the Year, in 1999.

Jim was a lifelong member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church and was very involved in the music ministry. He had served as president of the St. Luke’s School Board and was an active member of the Knights of Columbus Council # 4979.

Jim had always been active in the Ogallala community. He had been a scout leader for Boy Scouts Troop # 252, past president of the Ogallala Optimist Club and president of the Keith County Community Foundation. He was a member of the Elks Lodge # 1760, a member of the Community Redevelopment Authority, a member of the Keith County Area Development and a past board member of the Nebraska Land and Title Association.

Survivors include:

His wife of twenty seven years, Peggy of Ogallala

Sons, Eric of Philadelphia, PA, Michael of Ogallala

Grandchildren, Zoey Hesnault-Thalken, Ben Thalken and Maysen Thalken

Mother, Cathleen Thalken of Ogallala

Sisters, Julie (Bill) Mahaffy of Loveland, CO, Sally Thalken of North Platte, NE

Brother, Todd (Lois) Thalken of Kearney, NE

Mother in law, Mary Cummings of Gordon, NE

And many brother in laws and sister in laws, nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his father, Joe Thalken.

Rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 5^th at St. Luke’s Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 6^th at St. Luke’s Catholic Church with Father Bryan Ernest as celebrant. Burial will be in the Ogallala Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the Gubser Funeral Home and at the church prior to the Rosary. Online condolences may be sent at gubserfuneralhome.com.

Memorials may be given to St. Luke’s Catholic School or the Keith County Community Foundation in memory of Jim.

Gubser Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.