Claude V. Theis

Claude V. Theis, age 77, of Buckman, MN, passed away Friday, June 27, 2008, at his home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am Monday, June 30, 2008 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Buckman, MN with Rev. Gerald Dalseth officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Sunday, June 29, 2008 at Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service in Pierz with a Christian Mother's Rosary at 4:30 p.m., Parish Prayers at 7:00 p.m. and Knights of Columbus Office of the Dead at 8:00 p.m. Visitation will continue Monday at the church one hour prior to the service. Claude Victor Theis was born on March 14, 1931 in Buckman Township, Morrison County, Minnesota to the late Nicholas & Susan (Bolster) Theis. He grew up on a farm in Buckman Township and attended St. Michael School through the eighth grade and then Little Falls High School where he graduated with the Class of 1949. Following his schooling, he continued farming with his father. He was drafted into the United States Army on December 16, 1953 and served during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged on December 6, 1957. On September 22, 1953, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Carol Zilkoski, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Flensburg, MN. Following his military service, Claude worked at Scott Atwater in Minneapolis from January, 1956 until April 1987. At that time the couple moved back to the family farm in Buckman Township where they farmed until Claude's retirement in 1993. Even though he retired, Claude still kept active delivering corn for Pioneer Seed Company. He was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Buckman, Knights of Columbus, St. Michael Society, and the Pierz American Legion. Claude enjoyed working with his horses, woodworking, metal work and working in his shop on the farm. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family and was very close to his grandchildren. He has left a legacy which will be remembered and cherished by his family and friends. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Carol of Buckman, MN; children, Tom (Diana) Theis of Pierz, MN, Bonnie (Joe Martin) Theis of Eden Prairie, MN, John (Kelly) Theis of Little Falls, MN and Amy (John) Schmitz of St. Cloud, MN; grandchildren, Aaron Theis, Adam Theis, Casey Theis, Alyssa Theis, Lauren Theis, Elizabeth Theis, Eleanor Martin, Nicholas Schmitz, Isaac Martin, Kate Schmitz; great-grandchild, Kadynce Theis and sisters, Marie (Roman) Meyer of Royalton, MN and Ellen (John) Akotchik of Little Falls, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents, Nicholas & Susan (Bolster) Theis and daughter, Shelly Theis.