Jacob Michael THILGES

THILGES, ZELLER, PALMER, KNUDTSON, OPHEIM, SMITH, KAYSER, GAPPA

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 12/3/2009 at 10:58:15

December 3, 2009
Fort Dodge Messenger, Iowa

BODE, Iowa - Jacob "Jake" Thilges, age 85, of Bode, died at his home on Sunday, November 29, 2009. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Saturday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Joe, with Father Victor Ramaeker officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery with Military Rites conducted by the American Legion Post #0524 of Bode. Visitation will be 5-8 PM Friday at the Lentz Funeral Home in Algona with a 6 PM Rosary and a 7 PM Scripture Service.

Jacob Michael Thilges, the son of Nicholas N. And Margaret (Zeller) Thilges, was born on August 14, 1924 on the farm near St. Joe, Iowa. He graduated from St. Joe High School in 1942. Jake served in the U.S. Army Air Corp during WWII. On August 20, 1971 Jake was united in marriage with Wanda (Knudtson) Palmer in Thor, Iowa. He farmed near St. Joe. Jake was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and the American Legion Post #0524 of Bode. He enjoyed golfing, baseball, dancing and he was an avid Cattleman.

Left to cherish Jake's memory is his wife of thirty-eight years, Wanda Thilges of Bode; a step daughter, Michele Opheim and her husband Merle of Iowa City; five step grandchildren; four step great grandchildren; three sisters, Marcella Smith and Martha Kayser both of Algona and Mary Gappa of Ayrshire; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and six brothers, Raymond, Edmund, Norbert, Alfred, Mark and Bernard Thilges.