Christine Thalken, formerly the assistant courtroom clerk of Saunders County, has been appointed as the Clerk Magistrate for the Saunders County Court in Wahoo. Thalken's tenure as Clerk Magistrate will commence on July 1, 2025.
“Christine’s sharp eye for detail and her constant willingness to step in wherever needed will no doubt be key strengths as she takes on her new role as Clerk Magistrate in Saunders County,” stated Trial Court Services Director Sara Fowler.
The role of county court clerk magistrates involves supervision under the general direction of the presiding county judge. This includes assigning and directing the work of all court staff. The position bears significant responsibility for managing court staff, paperwork, finances, and records. Thalken's duties will involve ensuring the court's administrative operations run smoothly and exploring potential procedural updates.
Thalken is set to collaborate with clerk magistrates Carly Noack of Aurora, Jodie Roberts of Osceola, Ellen Faltys of Schuyler, Deanne Uhrmacher of David City, Lisa Langan of Albion, Lindsay Meister of Columbus, Maria Segura-Rodriguez of Central City, Aaron Benson of Fullerton, Kimberly Haberman of Seward, and Allison O’Neill of York within the 5th Judicial District. The district covers Boone, Butler, Colfax, Hamilton, Merrick, Nance, Platte, Polk, Saunders, Seward, and York Counties, with Judges Lynelle Homolka, Denise Kracl, Andrew Lange, C. Jo Petersen, and Stephen Twiss presiding and guiding the work of the magistrates.
Thalken steps into the role following the retirement of former Clerk Magistrate Diane Wagner on June 30, concluding Wagner’s 36-year tenure with the court system.
The Constitution of the State of Nebraska oversees the distribution of judicial power through the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, district courts, and county courts. All courts fall under the administrative purview of the Supreme Court. Besides these, Nebraska's judicial system includes separate juvenile courts in Douglas, Lancaster, and Sarpy Counties, and the statewide Workers’ Compensation Court.