Obit: Theisen, William F. (1885-1986)

Contact: Kathleen E. Englebretson

Email: kathy@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Theisen, Zinkel, Reif, Norton, Johnson, Ward, Helm, Betts

---Source: Marshfield News-Herald (19 September 1986)

LOYAL--Services will be Saturday at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Loyal, for William F. Theisen, 101, formerly of Loyal, who died Sunday at Sacred Heart Hospital, Eau Claire. Mr. Theisen had resided at Fall Creek Valley Nursing Home for a number of years.

A son, Abbot Jerome Theisen, and the Rev. Dennis Lynch will officiate. Burial will be in St. Anthony's Cemetery, Loyal.

Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

Visitation will be today at Rinka Funeral Home, Loyal. A Parish Council of Catholic Women rosary service will be held today at the funeral home, followed by a prayer service and a Knights of Columbus Rosary service.

Mr, Theisen was born July 22, 1885, in Reif's Mills, Manawa (Manitowoc?) County, to Peter and Leonora (Zinkel) Theisen. He attended rural Reif's Mills schools and graduated from Manawa Business School.

He married Mae M. Reif, in June 1910, at Reif's Mills. She died in September 1977.

He worked for Chicago and North Western Railroad, Milwaukee, where he was in charge of the Becker Street Station. In 1920, he moved to Loyal, where he and his brother, Leo, owned and operated a hardware until 1946, when his son, William A., moved to Loyal to help him in the business. Mr. Theisen retired in 1967 at the age of 82.

Surviving are four sons, Leo, Orlando, Florida, William, Loyal, Dr. Charles, South Milwaukee, Abbot Jerome, Collegeville, Minnesota; five daughters, Eleanore Norton and Mrs. Jerome (Betty) Johnson. Eau Claire, Mrs. James (Florence) Ward, South Milwaukee, Mrs. Fritz (Mary Jane) Helm, Milwaukee, and Mrs. Homer (Barbara) Betts, Kirtland, Ohio; 34 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by a son, Raymond, eight brothers and two sisters.