Kenneth R. Thelen

Kenneth R. "Ken" Thelen, age 80 of Laurel, Nebraska and formerly of Georgia, died on Monday, March 17, 2025 at Hillcrest Care Center in Laurel.

Funeral services will occur at a future date with burial of his cremated remains in Shelby, NE.

Kenneth Richard was born on May 1, 1944 in Shelby, Nebraska to Richard and Elaine (Hasselbalch) Thelen. He grew up in Shelby, NE and graduated from Shelby High School. He attended UNL for a year then started his working career as a clothing sales representative. He married Deanna Marie Johanson on December 28, 1963 in Shelby. He and Deanna moved to Georgia where he managed housing sub-divisions in gated communities, retiring in 2021. Deanna died on June 29, 2022. Ken then moved to the Hillcrest Nursing home in Laurel in January of 2025 to be near his son Todd.

Ken had a strong faith and was very involved in his church. He sang in a senior quartet at a time when his wife played the piano for them.

Ken is survived by three children – Todd (Tammy) Thelen of Concord, Tammy (Greg) Weniger of Georgia, Traci (Jake) Hamilton of Acworth, GA; 11 grandchildren – Tressa (Tim) Thill, Terra (TJ) Rexilius, Tia Thelen, Ashleigh (Tyler) Thomas, Brooke (Johnny) Rysdyk, Jordan (Chelsea) Weniger, Scott (Hailey) Weniger, Madison (Nick) Rosalen, Kennedi (Andrew) Moore, Jonah Hamilton, Teaghan Hamilton; 18 great grandchildren; six siblings Connie (Bob) Bright of Bellwood, NE, Bob Thelen of Weslaco, Texas, Pam (Dexter) McCollum of Schuyler, Dan (Neenah) Thelen of Stromsburg, Roxanne (John) Rasmussen of Shelby, Dena (Al) Davis of Shelby; many nieces and nephews.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents Richard and Elaine; wife Deanna; two brothers Billie and David Lee Thelen.