Walter J Thilges 1904-1958

THILGES, PLATHE, OBRIEN

Posted By: Geo Clinton (email)
Date: 8/10/2012 at 11:34:05

April 22, 1958 - Algona Upper Des Moines - Rites Thursday - A Well known Algona man, Walter J. (Wally) Thilges, 54, succumbed, to a heart attack late Monday afternoon while driving a tractor on the farm of a brother, Harry, near Irvington. Mr Thilges was plowing at the time. He evidently felt ill, got off the tractor, turned it off and died next to it. He had not been ill and his death came as a shock to the community.

Funeral services for Mr Thilges will be held Thursday, April 24, in St. Cecelia's Catholic church with Msgr. P.P. Gearen officiating. Burial will be at the St. Joe cemetery and the Hamilton Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Walter J. Thilges, son of H. M. and Kathryn Plathe Thilges, was born on a farm near St. Joe April 3, 1904. He spent most of his life on the farm, moving with his mother and a sister, Valeria, to their home at 301 North Jones street here in 1952. He was employed by Arnold Motor Supply for several years, then worked for Thompson Distributing Co. before being employed by Elmer Dole Construction at Irvington last year. He had been helping his brother, Harry, on the farm until road work got underway again this year.

He is survived by his mother, two sisters, Valeria, at home and Sylvia (Mrs Hubert O'Brien), Bode; and four brothers, Wilmer, Oswald, Herman and Harry, all from this vicinity. He was preceded in death by his father and a brother, Leroy.