Joel "JJ" Thomsen

Joel James Thomsen (JJ) was born July 25,1951 to Donald and Edith Thomsen in Minden, NE. He was the eldest of three children. He died on December 14, 2024, in Elkhorn, NE at the age of 73.

JJ grew up in Minden and attended Minden public schools through his graduation from high school in 1969. He was active in theatre, and a member of the golf and football teams. He helped his father with changing street light bulbs, electrical wiring, icing beef in boxcars, delivering newspapers and other jobs, all of which he liked to tell stories about. He was active in the Boy Scouts and earned his Eagle Scout which he was very proud of.

JJ earned his business degree in 1973 from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. He went to work for State Farm Insurance in 1974 and worked as a commercial field underwriter most of his career. His territory was Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. He enjoyed his job, met many people and enjoyed making new friends. He was proud to have earned his CPCU (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter) designation and maintained it through his retirement in 2014 after 40 years with State Farm. During his many hours on the road, he enjoyed audiobooks in the car and reading at night. He was a fan of Robert B. Parker, John Sanford, Sue Grafton and Clive Cussler.

On February 14,1990 he married Katrina Fahlin in Lincoln, NE. They lived in Lincoln on an acreage with dogs, cats and Katrina's horses. JJ supported Katrina's love of raising and showing horses and helped with those chores. He especially loved dogs, and they adopted 5 over the years. In 1998 they moved to Gretna, NE on another acreage.

He was active in his support for Nebraska athletics, having season tickets in football, basketball and baseball most of his life until the last year. He especially enjoyed tailgating with friends at football games and the College World Series.

Golfing was one of his passions and he learned to play from his parents at the Minden Country Club. In his adult life he was a member of the Ashland Country Club and attended the Masters Golf tournament as one of the Nebraska Golf Ambassadors. He enjoyed playing at many courses and collecting their shirts, caps and tees.

JJ enjoyed fishing and went many times to Canada for a week or more of fishing with his best friend and father-in-law. They also fished in South Dakota. He came home with fish, pictures and hilarious stories of their adventures.

Throughout his life JJ enjoyed helping others and volunteered doing pet therapy, special Olympics, donating blood and working at horse shows. He also enjoyed attending many music concerts, theatre, dancing and traveling with Katrina.

JJ died peacefully December 14, 2024 in Elkhorn, NE in hospice at a memory care facility.

He is preceded in death by his parents Don and Edith Thomsen and by his brother, John Thomsen. He is survived by his wife Katrina, sister Donna (John) Rehtmeyer, niece Lindsey (Colt) Vieselmeyer and their son, and nephews Josh (Lisa) Rehtmeyer and their 2 sons, Jake (Emily) Rehtmeyer and their 3 sons and Kyle Thomsen and a host of friends.

Memorials are not necessary but may be given in his memory to the Capitol Humane Society in Lincoln, NE. JJ did not want a funeral or memorial service and asks that you just remember him with love and laughter for some good times! A private celebration in his honor will be held in 2025.

The link to Capitol Humane Society is below:

https://www.capitalhumanesociety.org/ways-to-give/donate.html