Irene Eva Theis, 93, Richmond

October 30, 1921 – January 5, 2015

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 10, 2015 at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Richmond, MN for Irene Eva Theis, age 93, who died Monday at the St. Cloud Hospital. Burial will be in the parish cemetery.

Relatives and friends may call from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Friday at the Wenner Funeral Home in Richmond. Visitation will continue from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Saturday morning at the funeral home.

Irene was born in Solana, MN to Jason and Magdeline (Porter) Ellis. Married Bernard Brummer in 1936. She later was remarried, to Joseph Theis in 1957 in St. Cloud, MN. Irene loved people, children, animals, music, and dancing. She possessed natural artistic skills, and had an uncanny sense of creativity. She drew on these throughout her life and applied them within her various career endeavors, as well as in her everyday life raising seven children. She always displayed to her children resilience and a remarkable sense of responsibility, even through times of great hardship or sadness in her life. She had an unwavering interest in applying herself to learn more and to work hard at whatever she attempted. She assisted her first husband in running their leather shop in Lastrup, Minnesota. Later owned and operated St. Cloud Motel and Cabins on Division in St. Cloud. She also graduated from St. Cloud School of Beauty and owned a beauty shop in St. Cloud, and one later in Richmond. She assisted her second husband, Joe Theis, in their construction business and farm. She sold World Book Encyclopedia for years door to door to families, always concerned they didn't have enough access to academic information in their homes. She later opened Irene's Floral Shop in Richmond and thoroughly enjoyed arranging flowers and corsages for hundreds of weddings. Later in life, she also became a licensed realtor for a short time, winning certificates and awards for her sales skills. She was a member of The Rocky Riders Saddle Club and later enjoyed riding wagons in many parades. Following the deaths of each of their spouses, she and companion, Lawrence Callen, enjoyed 17 years together in Richmond, helping each other as they enjoyed Irene's children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She lived a full and complete life, and will be dearly missed by all her family and friends.

Survivors include her children, Darlene (Frank) Drosky, Judith (Robert) Wenner, Linda Ruhland, Brenda (Wayne Bechthold) Theis, and Sandra (Greg) Theis-Walz; 16 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph; children, Joseph, and Carol Wieber.