Lorene C. Thallas, age 87 of Blair, passed away June 22, 2024. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday June 27, 2024, at 10 a.m. at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church in Blair. Graveside services will follow in the Branson Cemetery, near Loveland. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday June 26, 2024, at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church, with a Rosary at 7 p.m.
Lorene Claire Thallas was born May 26, 1937, the daughter of Alma and Loretta Buffum. She was raised on the family farm outside Magnolia, and graduated in 1955 from Magnolia High School. While in school she was involved with many high school activities including, Iowa 3 on 3 basketball, softball and school plays.
After graduation Lorene met James (Jim) Franklin Thallas and the two were united in marriage on Feb. 29, 1956. Lorene always loved a full moon along with Jim, especially the strawberry moon, which she watched with her daughter Mona the night before she passed.
Upon Jim’s death she worked cleaning homes, was a housekeeper and cook for several of the priests at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church and worked at the Auxiliary Closet in Blair. She was a long-time auxiliary member of the American Legion #1251 in Blair, Neb. Lorene was also involved with the ladies of the church parish helping with funeral dinners and the May dinner. She enjoyed watching sports, and was an avid fan of the Kansas City Chiefs, Nebraska Cornhuskers football and Creighton basketball.
She also enjoyed watching her sons' teams the Minnesota Vikings (Nick) and the Dallas Cowboys (Shane). The greatest loves of her life were her children, grandchildren and her great-grandchildren. Lorene loved to host Sunday dinners which became a tradition that everyone looked forward to. She always held the holiday gatherings and included the officers from the Police, Sheriff, State Patrol and fire department as she wanted them to enjoy a warm meal while on duty.
Lorene enjoyed decorating for all holidays, especially Christmas and St. Patrick’s Day. Her St. Patrick’s Day dinners were epic and included a very large group of family and friends. Lorene also enjoyed her trips to the casino. She will be fondly remembered for being the one to always put her family first.
Lorene was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Jim, infant son Jeffery David Thallas, granddaughter Isabelle Lilly Thallas, and five brothers and five sisters.
She is survived by her children; Nick Thallas (Renee), Joe Thallas (Scott Hoffman), Shawn Thallas (Amy), Shannon Bolton (Mike), Charise Timperley (Rick Anderson), Mona Kermeen, Shane Thallas (Anne) and Mary Beth Thallas (Tom Wortmann), grandchildren Brandon, Kylie, Danny, Kodie, Brittany, Lucas, Alex, Kasie, Jaymie, Logan, Maddie, Eli, Finley and Mia. Her great-grandchildren Hayley, Laekyn, Oakley, Charlotte, LUCA, Amber, Trinity, Jasmine and soon to arrive baby T and baby K, sister Linda Coddington and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services by Campbell Aman Funeral Home, Blair, NE. www.campbellaman.com
