On Monday, March 22, 2021, Marian Lucille Theis of Prairie Village, KS, 85, devoted wife, adored mother of six & woman of tremendous faith & gentle spirit, met her creator.
One of nine children, Marian was born July 5, 1935, to Peter and Mary Vogel in West St. Paul, MN. Her father’s passion for music inspired Marian to became an accomplished pianist, clarinetist & saxophonist. Marian excelled in school as well, graduating second in her high school class before earning her baccalaureate from St. Catherine University.
On August 9, 1957, she wed John Robert Theis, the love of her life. Together they raised one daughter & five sons.
Marian was adored by her children who involved themselves in all aspects of her life. From traveling the country together, to just popping by for a cup of coffee. And no matter the occasion, her door was always open. Her generosity, gregariousness, hospitality and welcoming home were the example she passed on to her family. Her home was the place all wanted to be.
For decades Marian was a fixture, friendly face and distinguished sales associate at the Prairie Village Jones Store (Macy’s) with a knack for finding exactly what you needed - & sometimes a few things you didn’t know you needed. And what began as an interest in the stock market resulted in Marian becoming an astute and successful independent investor.
Marian loved traveling, her crosswords, KU basketball, the Chief’s and watching the pros play golf. But above these she was so moved by nature she opened the eyes of all around her - and stopped to smell the flowers. An amateur nature photographer of everyday backyard sunsets as well as the grand beaches, mountains and the forests of pines she postponed discovering until her family was raised - and therefore valued all the more. Her favorite spot was on her deck. Her own garden was natural and unbounded like her heart. She noticed and appreciated the small stuff and found so much to be grateful for each day.
A loving, generous and inspiring woman, Marian valued people, relationship and experiences above things, preferring to direct her resources toward helping others. She supported innumerable charities, her church, sponsored children, prepared food for the needy and provided Eucharist ministry to neighbors in nursing homes. She offered all she could to any family or community in need.
And her Catholic faith in Christ could certainly move mountains. She attended church daily. And she meditated and prayed for us all - everyday.
Her sweetness, smile, humor, sense of adventure and wide open “heart of gold” will forever be missed by her devoted children John (wife Julie), Cathy, Richard, Bob (husband Craig) and Tim; by her 12 grand children, their spouses, and six great grand children; by her sister Alice (Jerry) and brother Jim (Alice), and by innumerable nieces and nephews, extended family and a family of friends.
Marian was welcomed to heaven by her cherished husband, John, son Tom and son-in-law Tom; several loving sisters & brothers - by birth and marriage; & by her best friend Jill.
A funeral mass will be held at St. Ann’s Catholic Church on Thursday, March 25th at 10:30am. A Rosary will precede at 9:30am with a visitation immediately following. The mass will be held in the main church to provide social distance - & live streamed at: https://stannpv.org/mariantheis