Stephen "Steve" John Thalken, 65, formerly of North Platte, passed away on February 28, 2018 in Arizona with a lung infection he could not battle with the lung disease he had.

He was born April 24, 1952, in North Platte, Nebraska to Jack and Betty (Hoefer) Thalken. He married the love of his life, Debra "Deb" Lynn Lowe on September 23, 1972 in North Platte.  They had no children.

Steve spent his grade and high school years in the St. Patrick's Catholic School system. Shortly after graduating from High School, he joined the United States Navy.  Steve left the service after seven years in the field of air traffic control to work for the Federal Aviation Administration as a controller.  In 1981 he went out on strike with the air traffic controllers union and was subsequently removed from his position by President Ronald Reagan.  After a couple of tough years, he was hired by the United States Postal Service as a clerk and worked himself up in the ranks to the position of Manager of Labor Relations where he negotiated union/management contracts and arbitrated cases for the Postal Service.  During his tenure with the Postal Service, Steve earned his Bachelor of Science Degree.  He retired from the Postal Service in October of 2010.

Steve and his wife, Deb, lived in Des Moines, Iowa for 32 years. They moved to Peoria, Arizona in 2014, to enjoy their retirement years in a much warmer climate.

Survivors include his wife Deb of Peoria, AZ; mother, Betty Thalken of North Platte; brother, Dave (Bette) Thalken of Granbury, TX; sisters, Cindy (Bill) Mills of North Platte, Pat (Phil) Bahl of Omaha, NE, Mary (Blake) Gigax of Hayes Center, NE, and Diana (Terry) McCarthy of North Platte; mother-in-law, Ruth Giesenhagen of North Platte; brother-in-law, Mike (Gail) Lowe of Omaha, NE; sister-in-law, Sue (Merle) Stillwell of North Platte.

He was preceded in death by his father, John (Jack) Thalken; brother-in-law, Steve Lowe; and two nieces, Sara and Jenny Lowe.

Memorials are suggested to St. Patrick's Catholic Church. Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.

Christian Wake Services will be 7:00 p.m. May 24, 2018 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. May 25, 2018 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in North Platte, NE with Father Josh Brown as celebrant.  Luncheon following Mass in the Parish Hall and Inurnment will be at 1:00 p.m. Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell with military honors graveside.  Those wishing to sign the register book may do so 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Thursday May 24, 2018 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.