Obit: Theisen, Ethelyn (1919 – 2016)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Theisen, Furman, Smith, Schmidt, Blubaugh, Kunz

----Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, Wis.) 14 Jul 2016

Theisen, Ethelyn (10 MAR 1919 – 22 JUN 2016)

Ethelyn Furman Theisen, 97, Loyal, died at home on Wednesday, June 22, 2016. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., on Monday, July 18, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Loyal. Rev. Steven Brice and Rev. Meinrad Dindorf, OSB, will concelebrate. Burial will follow in St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery. Her grandchildren will serve as pallbearers. Visitation will be held at Cuddie Funeral Home in Loyal, on Sunday, July 17, from 4-7 p.m., and again on Monday, at the church, from 10 a.m. until time of service.

Ethelyn Furman was born on March 10, 1919, in Larsen, the third child of William P. and Ethel (nee McDermott) Furman. After graduating from Oshkosh High School, Ethelyn attended and graduated from Oshkosh State Teacher’s College (now the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh) in 1939. While a student, she held various offices in Gamma Sigma sorority and participated in intramural basketball. She later received advanced degrees in reading education from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Ethelyn married William A. Theisen on Aug. 16, 1941, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Winneconne. They lived in Menasha from 1941-46, and moved to Loyal in 1946. Ethelyn was a teacher all of her life. Following college graduation she taught fifth and sixth grades in Weyauwega. After raising and teaching her own children, Ethelyn returned to the classroom in 1966 and taught reading for 17 years at the Loyal Elementary School. After retiring, Ethelyn and Bill traveled extensively in the U.S. and throughout the world, and spent time in Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Brazil, Argentina, Canada, Switzerland, Denmark, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and China. Visiting family and friends was an important part of their retirement years, and Ethelyn continued traveling after Bill’s death.

An avid knitter, Ethelyn was rarely without a project in hand. Many are warmed by the scarves and felted socks she knit, and cushioned by her felted pillows. She will be dearly missed by those who relied upon her memory of people and dates, for her listening ear, and her wise counsel on house, health and other issues. Ethelyn was a member of St. Anthony’s Altar Society and held various offices through the years. She was also a member of St. Anthony’s choir while her husband was the choir director. Ethelyn was a charter member of the Clark County Live and Learn Homemakers, an organization focused on home and community through education and volunteer activities. She dedicated many hours to the organization since its founding in 1955. Ethelyn and Bill had two foreign-exchange daughters, Luzia and Lilian Bodini of Brazil, who remained a part of their family long after leaving Loyal.

Ethelyn will be dearly missed by her six children: Mary Theisen, Cynthia (Art) Smith, John Theisen, Kathleen (Willy Schmidt) Theisen, Marjorie (Bill) Blubaugh, and Clarice Theisen; 11 grandchildren: John, Tristane (Vieux), Joshua, Nathanael (Rima), Aaron (Mary), Rachel, Walter, Jack, Sam (Amanda), David (Callie), and Clare (Carl); six great-grandchildren: Slater, Piper, Liam, Simon, Matilda and Tennyson; one daughter-in-law: Maria Theisen; and one sister: Janice Furman Kunz of Kaukauna.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, William, on Aug. 7, 2005; one son, Phillip, on Dec. 30, 2015; and two siblings, Phyllis Furman Brown and Lyle Furman.

In lieu of flowers, Ethelyn requested that memorial contributions be made to a charity or organization of your choosing.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com.

Cuddie Funeral Home, Loyal, is assisting the family with arrangements.