Francis L. Theisen

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 19, 2010 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in St. Cloud for Francis L. Theisen, age 89 of St. Cloud who passed away on Thursday, April 15, 2010 at the St. Cloud Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Reverend Bernard Gruenes and Reverend Alfred Stangl will officiate. Private inurnment will take place at the Assumption Cemetery Columbarium.

Family and friends may call from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Sunday at the Daniel Funeral Home in St. Cloud and after 10:00 a.m. on Monday at the church. Parish prayers will be at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home in St. Cloud.

Francis was born in Marty, Minnesota on April 11, 1921 to Peter and Caroline (Keppers) Theisen. He was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII serving in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. Francis married Cyrilla Feldhege on April 22, 1947 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Richmond, Minnesota. He was self-employed as a Building Contractor in the St. Cloud area for over 30 years, he later owned Cold Spring Wood Products until he retired in 1991.

Francis was a member of the Polka Lovers Club of America, Heartland Swingers Polka Group, Good Sam’s Club, Catholic Aid Association #313, Knights of Columbus Council #961, Veterans of Foreign Wars Granite Post #428, Eagles Aerie #622, and St. Michael’s Parish.

Francis enjoyed gardening, polka dancing, fishing, hunting, and camping. He welcomed a challenge, had a clever and creative mind when it came to building, and remodeling projects. Francis will be remembered as a soft-spoken, patient, and loving person.

Survivors include his wife of nearly 63 years, Cyrilla; children, Ronald (Lynda) of St. Cloud, Diane (Ken) Marquardt of St. Cloud, John (Marilyn) of St. Cloud, Mary (Wendell) Johnson of St. Paul, Mike (Judy) of St. Cloud, Julie (Greg) Nelson of St. Cloud, Gayle (Terry) Moore of Fairplay, Colorado, Tim (Sara) of Rochester, Richard of St. Cloud, Jeff (Audrey) of Golden, Colorado; 26 grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Marcellus of St. Cloud, Marvin of St. Cloud, Jim of Marty, Lucille Gross of St. Cloud, Rosemary Koltes of Cold Spring, Betty Cichon of Little Falls and Bernice Brunette of St. Cloud.

In addition to his parents, Francis was preceded in death by infant brothers and sister, Herbert, Harold, and Bernadine; brother, Vernon; sisters, Viola Leither, and Eileen Blonigen.

Memorials are preferred.