Lancaster County Separate Juvenile Court Judge Toni G. Thorson recently retired.

Thorson’s last day was Oct. 16. She served three decades on the bench.

“It has been an honor to work with my colleagues to try to help children and families experiencing difficult and challenging times in their lives,” Thorson wrote in a resignation letter to Chief Justice Michael G. Heavican.

Thorson studied family and juvenile law at University of Nebraska College of Law, graduating in 1977. She joined the bench on Aug. 31, 1989, and was retained in her position by area voters, most recently in 2016.

The first step in replacing Thorson will be for the Judicial Resources Commission to determine whether her retirement creates a judicial vacancy on the Separate Juvenile Court for Lancaster Counter. If a vacancy is declared, additional information on applying will be announced.