Roger Thalacker

Roger Edward Thalacker, 91, of North Platte, NE, passed away at home on Friday, May 29, 2015. Roger was born May 6, 1924, to Carl Gustav and Jessie Ann Thalacker at Mondovi, WI. He graduated from Eau Claire High School then moved to Seattle, WA and went to work in the shipyards until he joined the U.S. Army in 1943. Roger served overseas in Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe. Following his discharge in 1945, Roger returned to Eau Claire and worked for the Martin Motor Division of National Pressure Cooker. On July 3, 1948, Roger married Vesta Marie Bucklew in Eau Claire where they lived for six months before moving to Maxwell, IA. He went to work for Montgomery Ward in Des Moines, IA and later transferred to North Platte where he was manager in the Tire Department. He retired from there in 1986. Roger had been a member of the First Baptist Church for 52 years. He is survived by his wife of nearly 67 years, Vesta, of North Platte; three daughters, Joanne (Larry) Jurjens and Brenda (Dale) Oberg, of Farnam, NE, and Lynette (Glen) Waltemath, of North Platte; six grandchildren, David (Raquel) Jurjens, Lisa (Brandon) Shimmin, Cory (Diane) Waltemath, Kevin (Carrie) Waltemath, April (Grant) McCloskey and Heath (Sara) Oberg; 19 great-grandchildren; a great great-granddaughter; and many nieces, nephews and other family. Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Jessie; three sisters, Annabell Peterson, Vera Schoeneck and Lovis Grinder; and a brother, Ron Thalacker. Funeral service will 10 a.m. Monday, June 1, 2015, at the First Baptist Church with Pastors David Logsdon and Peter Brick officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com. Memorials can be made to the First Baptist Church at 100 McDonald Road, North Platte, 69101. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.