Official Obituary of
George Anthony Thelen, Jr.
August 26, 1929 ~ December 12, 2018 (age 89) 89 Years Old
George Thelen, Jr. Obituary
George Anthony Thelen, Jr., 89, of Randolph, Nebraska, died December 12, 2018, at Osmond General Hospital.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, December 17 at St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church with Fr. Tim Forget officiating. Burial will be in St. Frances Cemetery in Randolph with Military Rites. A visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. on Sunday, December 16 at the church with a Rosary Service at 7:30 p.m.
George was born August 26, 1929, to George Anthony, Sr. and Anna (Hoffman) Thelen in Randolph. On December 27, 1950, George was united in marriage to Norma Jean Brodersen at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Leeds, Iowa. They spent nearly all of their 68 years of marriage living in the Randolph area.
Growing up, George attended Country School Eagle Valley District 55 in Cedar County and Pierce County Country School. In 1951, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He received Heavy 20th Military Infantry training at Fort Ord in California. From May 1952 to March 1953, George served in the Korean War, stationed in South Korea in the Mortar Company. He received awards for marksmanship (pistol and rifle). At the time George was honorably discharged, he was a corporal and one week away from becoming a sergeant. He was awarded the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart in 1953 for his injuries. In 1955, George and Norma Jean purchased a farm north of Randolph on the Correction Line. They farmed until 2003 when George semi-retired.
George was a member of St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church, VFW Alvin Kessler Post 5545 of Randolph and the American Legion Post 113. He loved Oliver tractors, hunting, playing cards, enjoying coffee with his buddies, working on the farm and spending time with family.
George is survived by his wife Norma Jean and eight children, Michael Thelen of Lincoln, Neb.; Chuck and Pat Thelen, Greg and Dot Thelen, John and Kelly Thelen, and Andy and Tina Thelen all of Randolph, Neb.; Maureen and David Lewis of Eyota, Minn.; Joe and Ann Thelen of Johnston, Iowa; Dan and Sharie Thelen of Norfolk, Neb.; and daughter-in-law Jane Thelen of Fordyce, Neb. He is also survived by his brother Norb (Ruth) Thelen and sisters Loraine Backer and Mary Ann Tunink all of Randolph; sisters-in-law Joann (Roger) McBain of Arvada, CO; Patty Brodersen of Randolph and Imogene Thelen of Norfolk. In addition, George is survived by 22 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by three sons, Patrick (1963), David (1983) and Doug (2015) Thelen; his parents; sisters, Helen Schmidt, Irene Rohde and Kathleen Lenton; brothers, Urban "Bud", Melvin "Fat" and Paul Thelen; and several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.
Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.
Funeral Services
Funeral Services: Saint Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church - Randolph, NE
Date: Monday December 17, 2018 - 10:30 A.M.
Interment: Saint Jane Frances Catholic Cemetery - Randolph, NE
Military Rites: Alvin Kessler V.F.W Post #5545 and American Legion Post #113 of Randolph, NE
Visitation: 4:00 - 8:00 P.M. with 7:30 P.M. Christian Wake Service all SUNDAY at CHURCH under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home - Randolph
Minister: Reverend Father Timothy Forget; Deacon Doug Tunink
Music: Organist: Corrine Schmit; Cantor: Nick Gubbels; Soloist: Eric Smith "Our Father"
Pallbearers: "George's Grandson's" Tony Thelen, Ted Thelen, Jack Thelen, Shawn Thelen, Mark Busack, David Thelen and Jacob Thelen.
Honorary Pallbearers: "George's Granddaughters; Great-Grandchildren; Great Great Grandchildren; Card and Coffee Buddies"
Questions please call 402-337-0711
FOR RANDOLPH: If you would like to order flowers and avoid a wire charge call RANDOLPH's local florist, they will take visa/mastercard or bill direct, (THIS WILL SAVE YOU AN EXTRA WIRE CHARGE, CHARGED BY THE NATIONAL FLOWER CENTERS) Randolph Florist: Main Street Flowers 402-337-1004; has dedicated service to Randolph, delivery in Randolph before and after services, providing an extra layer of service for our Randolph residents and our client families. FOR STANTON: If you wish to order flowers FOR
STANTON LOCATION - FLORISTS, call (toll free) 800-644-8361 (THIS WILL SAVE YOU AN EXTRA WIRE CHARGE, CHARGED BY THE NATIONAL FLOWER CENTERS). Floral Expressions will accept most major credit cards and may bill you directly, Floral Expressions has dedicated service to Stanton, delivery in Stanton before and after services, providing an extra layer of service for our Stanton residents and our client families.
Service
Monday, December 17, 2018
10:30 AM
Saint Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church
403 N. Bridge Street
Randolph NE 68771
United States
402-337-0644
Visitation
Sunday, December 16, 2018
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Saint Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church
403 N. Bridge Street
Randolph NE 68771
United States
402-337-0644
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, December 17 at St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church with Fr. Tim Forget officiating. Burial will be in St. Frances Cemetery in Randolph with Military Rites. A visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. on Sunday, December 16 at the church with a Rosary Service at 7:30 p.m.
George was born August 26, 1929, to George Anthony, Sr. and Anna (Hoffman) Thelen in Randolph. On December 27, 1950, George was united in marriage to Norma Jean Brodersen at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Leeds, Iowa. They spent nearly all of their 68 years of marriage living in the Randolph area.
Growing up, George attended Country School Eagle Valley District 55 in Cedar County and Pierce County Country School. In 1951, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He received Heavy 20th Military Infantry training at Fort Ord in California. From May 1952 to March 1953, George served in the Korean War, stationed in South Korea in the Mortar Company. He received awards for marksmanship (pistol and rifle). At the time George was honorably discharged, he was a corporal and one week away from becoming a sergeant. He was awarded the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart in 1953 for his injuries. In 1955, George and Norma Jean purchased a farm north of Randolph on the Correction Line. They farmed until 2003 when George semi-retired.
George was a member of St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church, VFW Alvin Kessler Post 5545 of Randolph and the American Legion Post 113. He loved Oliver tractors, hunting, playing cards, enjoying coffee with his buddies, working on the farm and spending time with family.
George is survived by his wife Norma Jean and eight children, Michael Thelen of Lincoln, Neb.; Chuck and Pat Thelen, Greg and Dot Thelen, John and Kelly Thelen, and Andy and Tina Thelen all of Randolph, Neb.; Maureen and David Lewis of Eyota, Minn.; Joe and Ann Thelen of Johnston, Iowa; Dan and Sharie Thelen of Norfolk, Neb.; and daughter-in-law Jane Thelen of Fordyce, Neb. He is also survived by his brother Norb (Ruth) Thelen and sisters Loraine Backer and Mary Ann Tunink all of Randolph; sisters-in-law Joann (Roger) McBain of Arvada, CO; Patty Brodersen of Randolph and Imogene Thelen of Norfolk. In addition, George is survived by 22 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by three sons, Patrick (1963), David (1983) and Doug (2015) Thelen; his parents; sisters, Helen Schmidt, Irene Rohde and Kathleen Lenton; brothers, Urban "Bud", Melvin "Fat" and Paul Thelen; and several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.
Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.
Funeral Services
Funeral Services: Saint Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church - Randolph, NE
Date: Monday December 17, 2018 - 10:30 A.M.
Interment: Saint Jane Frances Catholic Cemetery - Randolph, NE
Military Rites: Alvin Kessler V.F.W Post #5545 and American Legion Post #113 of Randolph, NE
Visitation: 4:00 - 8:00 P.M. with 7:30 P.M. Christian Wake Service all SUNDAY at CHURCH under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home - Randolph
Minister: Reverend Father Timothy Forget; Deacon Doug Tunink
Music: Organist: Corrine Schmit; Cantor: Nick Gubbels; Soloist: Eric Smith "Our Father"
Pallbearers: "George's Grandson's" Tony Thelen, Ted Thelen, Jack Thelen, Shawn Thelen, Mark Busack, David Thelen and Jacob Thelen.
Honorary Pallbearers: "George's Granddaughters; Great-Grandchildren; Great Great Grandchildren; Card and Coffee Buddies"
Questions please call 402-337-0711
FOR RANDOLPH: If you would like to order flowers and avoid a wire charge call RANDOLPH's local florist, they will take visa/mastercard or bill direct, (THIS WILL SAVE YOU AN EXTRA WIRE CHARGE, CHARGED BY THE NATIONAL FLOWER CENTERS) Randolph Florist: Main Street Flowers 402-337-1004; has dedicated service to Randolph, delivery in Randolph before and after services, providing an extra layer of service for our Randolph residents and our client families. FOR STANTON: If you wish to order flowers FOR
STANTON LOCATION - FLORISTS, call (toll free) 800-644-8361 (THIS WILL SAVE YOU AN EXTRA WIRE CHARGE, CHARGED BY THE NATIONAL FLOWER CENTERS). Floral Expressions will accept most major credit cards and may bill you directly, Floral Expressions has dedicated service to Stanton, delivery in Stanton before and after services, providing an extra layer of service for our Stanton residents and our client families.
Service
Monday, December 17, 2018
10:30 AM
Saint Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church
403 N. Bridge Street
Randolph NE 68771
United States
402-337-0644
Visitation
Sunday, December 16, 2018
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Saint Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church
403 N. Bridge Street
Randolph NE 68771
United States
402-337-0644
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of George Anthony Thelen, Jr., please visit our floral store.
Services
You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or by planting a memorial tree in the memory of George Anthony Thelen, Jr.
© 2026 Home for Funerals. All Rights Reserved. Funeral Home website by CFS & TA | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Accessibility